jected heathenism and embraced Christianity. About a week before the account of his death arrived, letters from him informed us that the work was still going on, and that he was preparing for another journey to those parts, but how wonderful are the Ways of God,-he died Oct. 2nd last, and there is now no one to succeed him. My paper is filled. and be assured of the Xn.

Pray for us.

Love of

Yours Affecty

Write to us,

CALCUTTA, Nov. 15, 1803.

WM. CAREY.

Before proceeding further with the correspondence, it may be well to advert to the work of Elkanah Holmes among the American Indians. A plain man himself, and not gifted, as his correspondence seems to show, with many of the graces of eloquence, Elkanah Holmes yet had a marvellous power of winning his way among the Indians of North America, and it would have been well, indeed, for our nation could most of its embassadors to the Indians have gone in the spirit of Elkanah Holmes, and have met with the reception which he appears to have met. There is a strange dignity and beauty in the following address presented to Mr. Holmes in the name of the Seneca nation, by Red Jacket, the celebrated Indian chief, on Monday, October 20, 1800:

"FATHER,

"We are extremely happy that the Great Good Spirit has permitted us to meet together this day. We have paid attention to all that you spoke to our ears at our last meeting. We thank the Great Spirit who has put it into the minds of the Great Society of friendship at New York to send you to visit us :-we also hope that the Great Spirit will always have his eyes over that Good Society, to strengthen their minds to have friendship towards the poor natives of this island. We thank the Great Spirit that he has smoothed your way, and has protected you through the rugged paths, and prevented any briers or thorns from pricking your feet. As you came on your way to visit us, you called on our Brothers the Oneidas, and Muhheconnuks, and Tuscaroras, who were well acquainted with you. We thank them for the pains they have taken in sending this good talk with wampum: (at the same time holding the talk and wampum in his hand); we are convinced that what they say of you is true, that you come purely out of love to do us good, and for nothing else; and that there is no deceit in your business, or in the good people that sent you.

"Father, we now request you to speak something to us about Jesus Christ, and we will give attention."

He then addressed his people and requested them to give good attention to what Mr. Holmes was about to

say, and make no noise, but behave in a becoming manner. Mr. Holmes then proceeded and endeavored to preach Christ to them. When he had concluded, Red Jacket arose and made the following speech to him, after consulting the chiefs:

"Father, we thank the Great Good Spirit above for what you have spoken to us at this time, and hope he will always incline your heart and strengthen you to this good work. We have clearly understood you, and this is all truth that you have said to us.

Father, we believe that there is a Great Being above who has made heaven and earth and all things that are therein; and has the charge over all things: who has made you Whites as well as us Indians and we believe there is something great after death.

"Father, what you say about our loving the Great Spirit we know to be truth, as he has his eyes over all things, and watches all our movements and ways, and hears all we say, and knows all we do.

Father, we Indians are astonished at you Whites, that when Jesus Christ was among you, and went about doing good, speaking the good word, healing the sick, and casting out evil spirits, that you white people did not pay attention to him and believe him; and that you put him to death when you had the good Book in your possession.

"Father, that we Indians were not near to this transaction, nor could we be guilty of it.

"Father, probably the Great Spirit has given to you White people the ways that you follow to serve him, and to get your living: and probably he has given to us Indians the customs that we follow to serve him, (handed down to us by our forefathers) and our ways to get our living by hunting: and the Great Spirit is still good to us to preserve game for us: and Father, you well know you white people are very fond of our

skins.

"Father, you and your good people know that ever since the white people came on this island, they have been always getting our lands from us for little or nothing.

"Father, perhaps if we had had such good people as you and your society, to have stepped in and advised us Indians, we and our forefathers would not have been so deceived by the white people; for you have the Great and Good God always in your sight.

"Father, we repeat it again-we wish you and the good people of your society to make your minds perfectly easy, for we like what you say, and we thank the Good Spirit for their good intentions, and that they have sent you to visit us.

Father, you do not come like those that have come with a bundle under their arms, or something in their hands, but we have always found something of deceit

under it; for they are always aiming at our lands; but you have not come like one of those--you have come like a father and a true friend, to advise us for our good. We are convinced that there is no snare in your business. We hope that our talk to you at this time will be communicated to your good society at New York, and that the Good Spirit will protect you and them in this good work that you and they have undertaken-and we expect that the bright chain of friendship shall always exist between us-and we will do everything in our power to keep that chain bright from time to time."

Mr. Holmes seems to have given reports of his work among the Indians not only to the New York Missionary Society, but to the New York Baptist Association, in whose early Minutes many references appear to his work; thus in the Minutes for 1802 it is recorded that an affectionate letter from the Mohheconnuk nation of Indians at New Stockbridge was received, containing a grateful acknowledgment of the reception of the books sent them in the preceding summer; and it was perhaps no unnatural outgrowth of this interest in the work of Elkanah Holmes that, apparently in the year 1806, the New York Baptist Missionary Society was formed and John Williams installed as its first President. In 1807 its membership is stated at 112; and among its list of twelve Directors we note the name of