Cherokee Phoenix

INDIANS IN NEW YORK

Published June, 11, 1828

Page 2 Column 4b

INDIANS IN NEW YORK.

Extract from a letter of Mr. Harris to the Corresponding Secretary.

The letter, from which these extracts are made, is dated 'Seneca, February 6, 1828.'

Cataraugus.- The Lords Super was administered to the little church at Cataraugus, on the 1st Sab. in Jan. when seven adults were admitted to full communion. One other would have been received, had she not been prevented from attending by sickness.- It is the mother of the little blind boy, of whom mention was made in a former communication, (vol. xxiii, p. 385) That boy has since gone into eternity. A little before his death, he called his father and all his friends around his bed, and told them he should soon leave them. 'But,' said he, 'weep not for me I go to my heavenly Father's house, my Savior's arms;-there I hope to see you. But of one thing I am certain, that if you do not continue to repent of sin and follow the commands of the Lord Jesus Christ, this separation, which will soon take place, will be forever.'

The church at that station consists in all of twenty-one members. Mr. Thayer has opened his school with considerable embarrassment, owing to the inadequacy of the promised supplies from the Indians. The parents of some have been compelled to withdraw their children, as they are unable to support them. The school contains at present twenty scholars.

Seneca.- There is one circumstance of recent occurrence at this station, which is not a little gratifying to us, and the friends of the mission hers, and, we doubt not, will be equally so you. The chiefs and people have resolved on building a small but commodious and neat chapel for the worship of Jehovah, which will cost them, when finished, 1,700 dollars. This is done altogether by subscription among themselves. The contract has been already made with the mechanics, who engage to finish it by the first September next. The house is to be 41 feet by 51, one story high, with an arched ceiling, a vestibule, a small tower, cupola, bell, 'c. It is also to be well painted within and without, and will contain 400 persons. They pay a thousand dollars in cash, and the rest in lumber from one of the mills.

We devoutly thank the God of missions, that his people are disposed to contribute thus willingly to the erection of a house of worship, although of humble structure, to which, we sincerely hope, they and their children, to the last of their race, will be disposed to repair, as did Israel of old 'to the place which the Lord chose to set his name there.' The chapel is to be situated within a few rods of the mission house.

The school contains near sixty scholars-all apparently happy and contented.- Mis. Her.