And now, dear Sir, having briefly stated to you our present circumstances, and future prospects, would that I could thus close my letter! But alas, I am obliged to reverse the scene, and eclipse the pleasing intelligence with gloomy tidings; with tidings which must fill your hearts with sorrow. Our cup of happiness appeared to be running over, when divine wisdom saw good to mix with it bitterness, in snatching from us a beloved brother. Yes! Thomas Brooks is no more! He had just entered the field, and was about to buckle on the harness, when death arrested his progress, cut short his career of usefulness, and consigned him to a premature grave.

On the afternoon of our arrival, while dining at Mr. Griffiths', he complained of an unusual sensation coming over him, and left the table. He, however, rejoined us in a short time, saying that he felt better. The day following he observed to us, that he had the same feeling as on the preceding night. Was indisposed all day. Wednesday, the 12th, he was much the same, complaining of loss of strength. Thursday, the 13th, the King sent for us, previously to which Mr Hastie had given Mr. B. an emetic, which caused him to bring up a great deal of bile. He went with us; and, in the presence of the King, fainted, and fell with his face upon the table. Recovering again in a short time, we thought that it was only weakness, occasioned by the medicine which he had taken. He afterwards accompanied us to look at the ground which the King had given us. This was an effort beyond his strength; for in returning he was much fatigued, and leaned alternately upon our

say that he was in the last stage of the disorder, and that a short time must decide whether he would live or die. Mr. Chick had the first watch with him, during which time he was restless and uneasy. After 12 o'clock he was more tranquil, and slept some time; was sensible, and asked for drink several times. Sunday, the 23d, in the morning, I asked him if he knew me ; he looked in my face with a faint smile, and with a voice expressive of surprise at the question, said, "Oh, yes." I asked him if he were able to think of Jesus Christ? he replied, “Not so much as I ought." I observed that the Saviour was not forgetful of him; to which he said, "He is not, indeed." I spoke of the great mercy that he was taught to know the Saviour before he was brought to a bed of affliction. He answered,

"It is a mercy, indeed." I said to him, "You are not afraid to die ?" Here severe pain prevented his reply. After a short pause, I again put the question, to which he replied, "Oh! no." ~ Once more I said to him, "You do not fear death, Mr. B. ?" with a strong effort he again said, "No." Here I desisted, as I found that conversation distressed him. Mr. H. saw him in the evening, and thought him better; and said that the symptoms of mortality were not so strong as on the preceding night. Mr. Griffiths and Mr. Jeffreys sat up with him all night, during which time he was restless, and frequently turned from side to side, appearing most easy when lying upon his right side. Mr. J. called me at 4 a. M. and said that a change had taken place in him at 12 o'clock; since which time he had lain quiet, and upon his right side. I got up and spoke to him, but received no answer. Mr. J. also spoke to him, but without effect. He requested him to hold up his hand as a sign that Christ was precious, but he could not. We observed that his feet and ancles were becoming cold; his hands also became cold; and he breathed with great difficulty. At day-light Mr. H. came, and with tears in his eyes said that nothing more could be done for him. He lay, apparently, in a

state of insensibility until 20 minutes before 11, when his emancipated spirit winged her way to the blissful regions of immortality.

On Tuesday, the 25th, we consigned

his mortal remains to the silent tomb.

His death is a serious loss to the mission, and the people of Madagascar, and his memory will long be dear to us. He was highly respected by Mr. and Mrs. Telfair; and as a workman, he was, at the Mauritius, unequalled. But he is gone! and it is our duty to bear the rod, and be silent. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.

A hymn was sung before the corpse was removed; thousands of the inhabi

tants from all parts of the town crowded to behold the spectacle: and it was understood that they were much struck with the solemnity with which the funeral was conducted. At the grave, Mr. J. read some portions of Scripture, and gave out two hymns, one at the commencement, and the other at the close of the service. Mr. Griffiths prayed, and Mr. Jeffreys gave a short address from Job, xxxvii. 23. and concluded with prayer.

This mournful event excited great lamentation, not only amongst the missionaries, but also amongst the Malegaches, even of the highest ranks. When the King's mother was informed of it, she burst into tears, and the King's ministers also manifested much sorrow.

UNION MISSION.

JOURNAL FOR OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER,

1822.

Tuesday, October 1.-A man arrived from the mouth of White River, to obtain the balance due for freight. We have been enabled to advance the sum, and he has returned.

Surrender of Prisoners. Wednesday, Oct. 2.-Charles Doune, our Interpreter, returned from Fort Smith, and informed us that twenty-one prisoners have been delivered to the Osages by the Cherokees. These, together with the eight before given up, making twenty-nine, are all that the Cherokees can obtain at this time. One of the prisoners, a young girl, has been stolen and carried off by a white man. Gov. Miller is about to offer a reward of one

hundred dollars to any person who will restore her to her friends.

Friday, Oct. 4.-We are this day informed of the death of the Indian who was shot through the body in the late skirmish, and whom Dr. Palmer visited, as stated in the Journal for last month.

Lord's Day, Oct. 6.-Subject, A. M., Nature and evil of backsliding; P. M., Dangerous consequences of touching the 2 Saholy work with unholy hands. muel, vi. 7.

Sickness in the Family.

Wednesday, Oct. 9.-Thomas Ward, a labourer, who has been sick for more than two months, was seized last night with a paroxism of fever, attended with apoplexy, and brought very low; but has survived, and is more comfortable this morning. The other hired man, mentioned in the journal of the fourth of Sep

tember as being sick, has recovered, and is able to labour. Philip Milledoler has the intermittent.

Thursday, Oct. 10.-Several Indians called on us to-day, who are about to hunt on the East of Grand River. Brother Chapman concludes to go out with them, and he and the interpreter left us

at 3 o'clock.

Lord's Day, Oct. 13.-Thomas Ward still mending. Elizabeth is very sick, and Philip is no better.

from

Hostility of the Choctaw Indians. Received, at 12 o'clock, an express Col. Arbuckle, at Fort Smith, informing that the party who attacked the Osages

near the mouth of the Canadian consisted

of eleven Choctaws from Red River; that the two children taken prisoners were at the Choctaw camp; and that an attempt will be made to obtain them. Also, that twenty-five Choctaws were roving about in that neighbourhood, purposing to fall on the small parties of the Osages. The Colonel very kindly advises that the Osages be apprized of the designs of their enemies, and also of the importance of sending back the horses stolen a year since from the Red River white people. This information has been promptly communicated to the Osages by Brother Chapman and Capt. Pryor.

Visit from the Great Osages. Thursday, Oct. 17.-Last evening arrived a company of White Hair's Indians. This is the first visit from that part of the nation. It appears that they are in an unsettled state, and have not selected a place for their new town. These people lodged in our yard, and behaved with great propriety. An Indian woman died from our Indian house last night. They buried her this morning. They laid in her grave her knife, ladle, and other articles, according to their custom. We sung at the grave,

"And must this body die,

"This mortal frame decay?" Some of our scholars, who are learning to sing, joined in the hymn. Gloomy is the death of a Gospel despiser, but, if possible, more gloomy the death of a heathen, who has never heard that "Christ

is risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept." At 2 P. M. Brother Vaill set out for the Garrison, on business; took with him the Journal for September, Report to the Secretary of War, &c.; expects to lodge at Mr. Barber's trading establishment to-night. Mr. Ward and Philip are rapidly recovering. Elizabeth not essentially better. Another hired man afflicted with the intermittent. Indian Mourning.

Saturday, Oct. 19.-Awaked early this morning by the piercing shrieks and cries of an Osage mother, whose infant died in it on the top of the ground, and placed the course of the night. She at first laid stones over it. We proposed to bury it,

to which she assented. She is almost in

consolable. Brother Chapman, who returned from the camp to-day, relates another instance which he witnessed. The bereaved mother ran furiously about, like a mad person, shrieked, smote her breast, and refused to be comforted. Remem

ber, Christians, they have never heard the command from heaven," Be still, and know that I am God." The Indians, who tarried here the other night, returned from the trading-house, hungry, and drenched with rain.

Tuesday, Oct. 22.-Brother Vaill proceeded as far as the Illinois, and finding the river too high and rapid to cross, by reason of the late rains, returned to-day.

Wednesday, Oct. 23.-Tally arrived this afternoon, with a request to take away his son for 30 days, to assist him in hunting. He complained, that while others had three or four young men to help them, he was alone, was poor, and found it difficult to maintain his large family.

Thursday, Oct. 24.-Reasoned with Tally, and attempted to dissuade him from his purpose. Told him the loss his son would suffer by hunting; he would wear out his clothes, and fall behind in his studies; but all to no purpose. After signing a written agreement to bring him back in thirty days, he told Philip to leave his clothes, and put on a blanket. He then put a gun into his hand, and they rode off together. We have hitherto looked upon Tally as the wisest person in the nation; but Stephen's aged mo

Missionary Meeting. In this we have enjoyed the sweetest harmony; and we believe no means could have been more effectual to rouse our minds to the labour of love before us. It is believed that this family, and the brethren from the other Stations, feel greatly revived. We purpose to forward to the Board a copy of the proceedings of this meeting. At five o'clock this morning met for prayer and religious conversation.

Friday, Nov. 8.-Met again at 5, A. M. for prayer, and truly it was a refreshing

season.

Lord's Day, Nov. 10.-Assembled again at five o'clock in the morning, for special prayer. Have been edified by the excellent lessons of God's Word dispensed by our dear brethren from abroad. Brother Pixley preached, A. M. “Fear not little flock," &c. P. M. Brother Washburn discoursed on the nature and effects of Christian love, 1 Cor. xiii. May we all, as the members of Christ's flock, love one another, and thus anticipate the communion of the saints above.

Departure of the Missionary Brethren. Monday, Nov. 11.-Brethren Washburn and Orr left us for Dwight, in company with Brother Vaill and a hired man. The late rains having raised the rivers so as to render it very difficult crossing them, it was thought expedient to go down in a canoe. Brother Vaill expects to go as far as Fort Smith, on the business of the Mission. Brethren Wm. C. Requa and Palmer also departed for Harmony in a small wagon, to remove Sister Requa's things. May the God of Jacob be with them and protect them.

Wednesday, Nov. 18.-Mr. Augustus P. Choteau has now established himself at the place formerly occupied by Mr. Revoir, who was killed last year by the Indians. On Monday Brother Pixley. went up for the purpose of being with the Indians, who are near his establishment. Brother Chapman joined him yesterday. They tarried on this side the river till today, but not thinking it safe to swim the rapid current at this stage of water, returned Mr. Choteau's establishment is fifteen miles up Grand River, on the opposite side.

Extraordinary Preservation.

Thursday, Nov. 14.-Sister Cleaver rode out this afternoon, as she has frequently done, for her health; but not returning as usual, we became alarmed for her safety. Searched in vain till dark. Then all who could have horses pursued after her in every direction till late at night, but in vain.

Friday, Nov. 15.-This morning, as soon as it was light, proceeded in search of Sister Eliza. Directed by a merciful Providence, we found her about three miles distant, wandering at random. She had continued on horseback through the night, and had rambled many miles. Thuš God preserves his children from harm. We have great occasion for thanksgiving.

Various Notices.

Lord's Day, Nov. 17.-Instructed to adorn the doctrine of God, our Saviour, in all things. Oh! may we live and die ornaments to the Gospel.

Monday, Nov. 18.-Mr. Choteau's boat with goods passed this station on Thursday. Brother Pixley took that opportunity to go up the river, and visit the Indians. To-day Brother C joined him.

Saturday, Nov. 23.—Brother C. having spent the week with the Indians, returned. Four men arrived at Mr. Choteau's from Missouri, who needed his assistance to pilot them to this place: a millwright, a mason, and two common labourers. The millwright has come in quite sick. They have been thirteen days coming from Harmony. Suffered much by losing their way, travelling without provision in the cold and wet, and crossing creeks and rivers, raised by the late rains. They notice with peculiar gratitude the hospitality of the Osages. By these men we have received no information from our Brethren Requa and Palmer.

Lord's Day, Nov. 24.-Enjoyed that important lesson of our Master, that we are severally accountable for all our actions.

Monday, Nov. 25.-Commenced making brick. The mason pronounced the clay to be of the first quality. Though we have been informed of the depressed state of the treasury, yet, as the mason appears to be a very active man, and well