admittance to heaven. When, however, the method of salvation, as revealed in the Gospel and exemplified in the experience of good men, was more fully explained to him, he saw his error. But, perceiving in himself a repugnance to this method, that repugnance seemed to him more criminal than all his other sins, and his distress became almost insupportable. One whole night he lay awake, as he said, expecting sudden destruction; and such was his terror, that he trembled all the while, to use his own comparison, like one in an ague. But, in the morning, a new scene opened: then the way of salvation through the Lord Jesus appeared perfectly reasonable, and exactly suited to his case; and the thought of being saved in that way, and in no other, gave him unspeakable joy. "From that time," says one of the Missionaries, who knew him well, "John Arch lived a consistent Christian." Near the close of the year 1819, ten months after John entered the school, his father came to take him home; and was not easily diverted from his purpose: he was unwilling that his son should be so far from him. This was a season of severe trial to John: he loved his father, and was desirous to please him: he loved his Saviour, also, and was willing to leave all for his sake. Anxiety to be qualified for usefulness among his countrymen, was his ruling passion. Happily, the Old Man, after spending several days with the Missionaries, was so wrought upon by kindness and persuasion, that he consented to leave his son in the school. About this time there was an occurrence which strongly developed the character of this Young Man. One of his schoolmates wrongfully accused him of doing an improper act: conscious of innocence, and yet not having the means of exculpation at command, he could not well brook the charge: that evening and night he was missing, and it was supposed he had absconded; but, in the course of the forenoon, he made his appearance. On being questioned respecting his absence, he made this reply "I felt angry, and knew that it was wicked: but I could not suppress it. I, therefore, went to the Saviour, that he might reconcile my heart." He had spent the night in devotion. Being now able to read and write with tolerable correctness, and possessing naturally a good judgment, John was employed, with another Young Cherokee, to assist one of the Missionaries in preparing an Elementary School-book in Cherokee, which was afterwards printed. About the same time, he was examined as to his religious attainments, and was admitted a Candidate for Christian Baptism. In February 1820, he passed through a second examination, particu larly with respect to the nature and design of baptism; and the members of the Church being fully satisfied, as to his knowledge of the doctrines of the Gospel and the genuineness of his piety, he was baptized on the 20th. On that occasion, the Missionaries made these remarks ing among us, but little more than a year When we consider the manner of his com ago, from the most distant and most ignorant part of his tribe; having no one to encourage him, and having barely heard that there were people here who would teach him- and when we think, also, of his diligence in study, the progress which he has made, and his apparent devotedness to God-we are led to hope, that, in due time, he will prove a blessing to his people. John was not received into full com munion till some time had elapsed after his baptism; as the Missionaries at Brainerd, in imitation of the Moravians, or, perhaps, of the ancient customs of the Christian Church, had interposed a time for further probation and instruction, between baptism and admission to the Lord's Supper. It having been resolved to establish a School at Creekpath, about 100 miles west of Brainerd, Mr. Butrick was appointed to that service, and was permitted to take John Arch with him as an assistant. On the 18th of March, they arrived at the place of their destination. The Cherokees commenced the preparations which they had engaged to make for a school with promptness, and conducted them with zeal; and a school was soon opened with the fairest prospects: the people of all ages seemed anxious to learn; and some were disposed to serious inquiry as to their spiritual interests. John was wholly devoted to his work; and pursued it with judgment, intelligence, and delightful animation. In the autumn, John visited his father and other relatives. The sight of their moral degradation called up the tenderest feelings of his heart; and he warned them of the scenes and events of a future world. At first, he was listened to with a silent amazement-then, with uneasiness-and, at length, some left the house. He then proposed prayer; and, while he was praying, others retired, till he was left almost alone. These things greatly discouraged him; and, for a time, he knew not what to do: but he finally resolved to be familiar and cheerful in his address, whenever he went among his people: and to converse respecting their hunting and other customary avocations, until he had secured their confidence, and then to introduce divine subjects as they were able to bear them. About this time, he had the satisfaction of witnessing an important step taken by his people in the career of improvement. The National Council divided their country into Eight Districts -appointed four Circuit Judges-laid a general tax to build a Court House in each district-and took such other measures as were deemed necessary to facilitate and secure the administration of justice: this incipient jurisprudence secured the respect of the people. The Council also engaged to furnish such of the young men of the Nation as should learn any trade with a set of appropriate tools, as soon as they were qualified to commence business. When Mr. Potter took charge of the station of Creek path, in January 1821, John Arch appears to have returned to Brainerd with Mr. Butrick, and there to have pursued his studies, and discharged the duties of an interpreter, until October, when he again went to Creekpath at the request of Mr. Potter. In January 1822, he accompanied Mr. Butrick on a tour of two months to some of the most important places in the Nation. The distance travelled in this tour was above 500 miles. John was now brought into close connection with the Missionaries as interpreter; an employment for which he was well qualified, by his good sense, his sound judgment, his acquaintance with the Gospel, his familiarity with English and Cherokee, and the deep interest which he felt in the present and eternal welfare of his countrymen. In the autumn of this year, John accompanied one of the Assistant Missionaries to a place called Willstown, near the western limits of the state of Georgia, to aid in forming a Missionary Station there. The year had not expired, before he was engaged in active measures with a view to another Station further east, near the E-tow-ee or Hightower River, and about 75 miles from Brai nerd: he made one or two journeys to the place, in order to consult with the chiefs and other leading men: wicked white men had taken much pains to prejudice and mislead the minds of these people, and to some extent had succeeded; but John finally made them understand and pursue their best interests. During the winter, he accompanied Mr. Chamberlain in several tours. On this occasion, he said, he distinctly perceived a gradual increase of religious light among the people, as he approached a Missionary Station, and a gradual diminution as he receded; until, at considerable distances, he often seemed to have come into total darkness: but he added, that the people everywhere have a disposition to hear the preaching of the Gospel, and he greatly desired to spend his days in proclaiming it to them. He was willing to devote his life to the employment of Interpreter, if that was best; but he would do any thing in his power to become qualified to be himself a Minister of the Gospel. In the spring of 1823, a Missionary Station was commenced in the neighbourhood of Samuel J. Mills, and called Haweis. The agency of John Arch was employed, though to a less extent than in respect to the Stations above mentioned, the previous agency of Mills having rendered it unnecessary. There is no doubt but he was active and useful during all the following summer, but nothing worthy of notice is recorded. In October, he made a circuit through the eastern part of the Nation, on a visit to his relatives and the friends of his early years. He was delighted to see the change which had taken place among them, since his visit a year before. He no longer found them averse to instruction: the inmates of almost every cabin were disposed to serious inquiry. He declared that the Cherokees in all that part of the Nation were ready to receive the Gospel; and so animated was he by the discovery, that he desired to go and spend a year among his countrymen in the wilderness of the Arkansas, to assist in making them ready also. He returned to Brainerd by way of Newtown, or New Echota, the seat of the Cherokee Government, and where the Cherokee Printing-establishment now is, and spent a Sabbath with the National Council; which had ordered, that no business should be done in the Council, and no secular work in the neighbourhood of the Council, on the Sabbath. He said he found every one cleanly dressed on that day; and that the observance was apparently strict and solemn. In the spring of 1824, John accompanied the Corresponding Secretary of the Board to several places in the Cherokee Nation; and, through a part of Alabama and Mississippi, to Mayhew, in the Choctaw Nation. During this journey of 400 miles or more, in the course of which visits were made to a considerable number of families in the White Settlements, to several Missionary Stations, and to many of his own people, he was everywhere treated with respect, and everywhere left a favourable impression of his character. He was a pattern of mildness and amiableness, in his whole conduct.. At the close of the year, John went to Willstown, to travel as Interpreter with Mr. Chamberlain, who resided at that Station. This connection subsisted till his fatal illness left him no longer the ability to labour for the good of his beloved people. The disease of which he died, which was the dropsy, began to assume a serious aspect in March 1824; when he found himself unable to render Mr. Chamberlain the usual assistance. He employed himself, however, in translating the Third Chapter of John into Cherokee: he wrote it in the syllabic alphabet invented by George Guess: the translation, thus written, was received with wonderful avidity; and was soon copied, as was supposed, some hundreds of times, and read by multitudes: all who understood both languages, strongly approved of it. In April, his health was better, and he resumed his usual labours. He rode with Mr. Chamberlain to Brainerd, 50 miles distant; having considerable intercourse with Natives by the way: but the exertion was too great. At Brainerd he was afflicted with a hæmorrhage, which constrained him to relinquish, in great measure, the hope of life; and he expressed the wish, that he might spend the residue of his days at that place. He said, he came first to Brainerd-there he received his education-there he was brought to the knowledge of the Saviour-and there he desired to die. He was not left in doubt, as to the disposition of his Missionary Friends at that Station to render him every attention in their power. He had not been long there, before he received a kind invitation from Dr. Stout, of Athens, in Tennessee, about 60 miles distant, to spend some time under his care: he was accordingly taken to Athens, and received temporary relief from a surgical operation; but the physician was soon convinced that his case was hopeless; and no sooner did John learn this fact, than he determined, if possible, to return to Brainerd. He commenced the journey on horseback, hoping to be able in that way to travel 14 miles, to the Cherokee Agency: the motion of the horse, however, was too violent for his enfeebled frame; and, after going six miles, he was obliged to stop. The family, in which his lot was now cast for a week, knew his character, and treated him with the utmost kindness: at the end of the week, one of his brethren came for him from Brainerd, and conducted him, by easy stages, to that beloved spot. In June, two days before his death, he was visited by Mr. Chamberlain, and was greatly animated by the interview. He told Mr. Chamberlain that he had often heard about Ministers visiting the sick and dying; but he never knew before what a comfort it was to receive such a visit. He declared repeatedly that he was entirely willing to trust himself, in life and death, to the disposal Indeed, his of his Almighty Saviour. peace of mind was uninterrupted to the last. He died calmly, on the 18th of June 1825. When told, just before his decease, that the pains which he felt were those of dissolution, and that in a few minutes more he would be in eternity, his countenance indicated great pleasure; and, raising his hand, he said, "Well, it is good!" These were the last words which he was heard to utter. Mr. Chamberlain speaks of him in the following manner : He, indeed, sleeps in the dust; but his memory will ever be dear to all his Missionary Brethren. He has been a warm friend to us, and to the Cause in which we are engaged; and his loss will be severely felt. We feel ourselves admonished by this stroke. Perhaps we relied too much upon him; for we almost felt that the work could not go on without him. Mr. Butrick gives the following testi Though he was not perfect, yet I cannot now look back upon his life, and point out any particular stain in his Christian Character. He appeared sensible of his obligations to do what he could for the salvation of his people; but, having less confidence in his own judgment than in that of those who had more experience than himself, he chose to be directed in his labours by the proper authority of the Mission; and, when thus directed, he did not complain, nor seem to suppose that his opinion would have been preferable. In this he was a reproof to many of his Missionary Brethren. He was not inaccessible to pride and vani ty; yet these passions no sooner gained admittance into his heart, than they became the occasion of his humiliation before God. For this reason, I think none of his brethren ever found it necessary to reprove him for selfsufficiency or stubbornness. He was peculiarly auxious to maintain the honour of the Missionary Character among his people, and to shield the Christian Name from reproach. Wherever he went, by answering objections, exposing calumnies, and exhibiting the excellencies of the religion of Christ, he left a sweet savour, to the honour of his God, and the great benefit of his Christian Brethren. Proceedings and Entelligence. United Kingdom. ANNIVERSARIES. THE practice, to which we referred in the remarks at p. 221 of our last Volume, of opening the Annual Meetings of Societies with PRAYER, is happily become very general: in various instances, also, the most active friends of the respective Institutions have previously assembled, in considerable numbers; and, after breakfasting together, have united in humbly invoking the Divine Blessing on the various Meetings and Societies. An improvement in the spirit of the Meetings appears to us to be manifestly in progress, and may be reasonably expected where such a course of preparation is pursued. WESLEYAN MISSIONARY SOCIETY. SERMONS were preached before the Society-by Rev. Robert Newton, of Liverpool, from Psalm cxlii. 4, at the City-Road Chapel, on Thursday Evening, April 30th-by Rev. James Parsons, of York, from Psalm lxxii. 19, on Friday Morning, at Great-Queen-Street Chapeland, in the Evening of that day, at Hinde Street Chapel, by Rev. John Storry, from Ps. lxxii. 17, 18. On Sunday, the 3d of May, 108 Sermons were preached for the Society, in 52 Chapels of the Wesleyan Methodists in and near London. The Annual Meeting of the Auxiliary Society for London was held in Great-Queen-Street Chapel on the Evening of the 29th of April, Lancelot Haslope, Esq. in the Chair; and that of the Society, in the City-Road Chapel, on Monday the 4th of May, the Earl of Mount cashel in the Chair. Movers and Seconders. Right Hon. Sir G. H. Rose, K.G.H, M.P.; and Rev. James Parsons, of York- Rev. Elijah Hoole, from Madras; and W. Wilberforce, Esq.-James Heald, Esq. of Stockport; and Rev. Robert Newton-Rev. Jabez Bunting, President of Conference; and Rev. Theodore Dury-Rev. T.H. Squance, formerly of Ceylon; and Rev. Richard Reece-and Lancelot Haslope, Esq.; and T. Allan, Esq. Resolutions. -That this Meeting acknowledges, with gratitude to God, from whom alone proceedeth all good, the extensive success with which the Wesleyan Missionaries have been favoured, in their numerous and widely-extended spheres of action. -That this Meeting is anxiously desirous, that opportunities of instruction should be afforded to the Adult and Juvenile Slave Population of all the British Colonies: and is, therefore, gratified by learning that the Wesleyan Missionaries, in the West Indies and other Colonial Settlements, direct their special attention to the children of Slaves, by sedulously endeavouring to teach them to read; and, by a regular perusal of the Holy Scriptures in every School, imbuing their minds with sacred and moral principles. -That this Meeting, deeply affected with the moral degradation and ignorance of a vast proportion of the Population of the Globe, and recognising the immediate interposition of Divine Providence in the impor tunate and repeated entreaties for Missionaries, both from countries hitherto unvisited by them and from Stations already occupied, regards it as an imperative duty to become co-workers with God in the extension of the Gospel to destitute myriads of Pagan Idolasending forth those zealous and self-denying ters, by contributing the pecuniary means of men whom God hath raised up and prepared for Missionary Labour and Enterprise. Sales of Ladies' Work, at the City-of-London Tavern, on the 28th and 29th of April, produced nearly 300l. The total Collections, including this sum, amounted to about 14501. HIBERNIAN SOCIETY. A SERMON was preached for the Society, at St. Bride's, Fleet Street, on Tuesday Morning, the 28th of April, by the Hon. and Rev. B. W. Noel |