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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. 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Wood. - </title> - <link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> - <style type="text/css"> - -body { - margin-left: 10%; - margin-right: 10%; -} - - h1,h2 { - text-align: center; - clear: both; -} - -.ph3 { text-align: center; text-indent: 0em; font-weight: bold; } -.ph3 { font-size: large; margin: .83em auto; } - -p { - margin-top: .75em; - text-align: justify; - margin-bottom: .75em; -} - -.author {text-align: right; - margin-right: 5%; - font-variant: small-caps;} - -hr.tb {width: 45%; - margin-top: 2em; - margin-bottom: 2em; - margin-left: 27.5%; - margin-right: 27.5%; - clear: both;} - -hr.chap {width: 65%; - margin-top: 2em; - margin-bottom: 2em; - margin-left: 17.5%; - margin-right: 17.5%; - clear: both;} - -hr.r5 {width: 5%; - margin-left: 47.5%; - margin-right: 47.5%; - margin-top: 1em; - margin-bottom: 1em;} - -.pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ - /* visibility: hidden; */ - position: absolute; - left: 92%; - font-size: smaller; - text-align: right; -} - -.blockquot { - margin-left: 5%; - margin-right: 10%; -} - -.center {text-align: center;} - -.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} - -.figcenter { - margin: auto; - text-align: center; -} - -.footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} - -.footnote .label {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right;} - -.fnanchor { - vertical-align: super; - font-size: .8em; - text-decoration: - none; -} - -.transnote {background-color: #E6E6FA; - color: black; - font-size:smaller; - padding:0.5em; - margin-bottom:5em; - font-family:sans-serif, serif; } - -@media handheld {body {margin-left: 2%; margin-right: 2%;} - } - - - </style> - </head> -<body> - - -<pre> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Report of Mr. Wood's Visit to the Choctaw -and Cherokee Missions. 1855, by George W. Wood - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Report of Mr. Wood's Visit to the Choctaw and Cherokee Missions. 1855 - -Author: George W. Wood - -Release Date: December 21, 2015 [EBook #50734] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK REPORT OF MR. WOOD'S VISIT *** - - - - -Produced by Donald Cummings, Bryan Ness, Diane Monico, and -the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at -http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images -generously made available by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - -</pre> - - - - - - - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 477px;"> -<img src="images/cover.jpg" width="477" height="800" alt="cover" /> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 332px;"> -<img src="images/title_pg.jpg" width="332" height="550" alt="title page" /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</a></span></p> -<hr class="chap" /> -<h1>REPORT<br /> - -<small>OF</small><br /> - -MR. WOOD'S VISIT<br /> - -<small>TO THE</small><br /> - -CHOCTAW AND CHEROKEE MISSIONS.<br /> - -1855.</h1> - -<hr class="r5" /> -<p class="ph3"> -BOSTON:<br /> -PRESS OF T. R. MARVIN, 42 CONGRESS STREET.<br /> -1855.<br /> -</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</a><br /> -<a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span></p> - - - - -<h2><a name="REPORT" id="REPORT">REPORT.</a></h2> -<hr class="r5" /> - -<p>At the meeting of the Board held in Utica, New York, September, -1855, the Prudential Committee submitted a special communication in -reference to the Choctaw and Cherokee missions, in which they say: -"Since the last meeting of the Board, it has seemed desirable that -one of the Secretaries should visit the Indian missions in the South -West, for the purpose of conferring fully and freely with them in -reference to certain questions which have an important bearing upon -their work. Mr. Wood, therefore, was directed to perform this service; -which he did in the spring of the present year. After his return to -New York, he drew up a report of this visit, and presented the same -to the Prudential Committee. It is deemed proper that this document -should be laid before the Board at the earliest opportunity; and it is -herewith submitted. The results obtained by this conference are highly -satisfactory to the Committee."</p> - -<p>The report of Mr. Wood is in the following language:</p> - - -<p class="center"><em>To the Prudential Committee of the American Board of Commissioners -for Foreign Missions</em>:</p> - -<p>I have to report a visit made by me to the Choctaw and Cherokee -missions, in obedience to instructions contained in the following -resolutions adopted by you, March 6, 1855:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>"<em>Resolved</em>, 1. That Mr. Wood be requested to repair to the -Choctaw Nation, at his earliest convenience, with a view -to a fraternal conference with the brethren in that field in -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span> -respect to the difficulties and embarrassments which -have grown out of the action of the Choctaw Council in the -matter of the boarding schools, and also in respect to any -other question which may seem to require his attention.</p> - -<p>"2. That, in case the spring meeting of the Choctaw mission -shall not occur at a convenient time, he be authorized to -call a meeting at such time and place as he shall designate.</p> - -<p>"3. That on his return from the Choctaw mission he be -requested to confer with the brethren of the Cherokee -mission, in regard to any matter that may appear to call -for his consideration, and that he be authorized to call a -meeting for this purpose.</p> - -<p>"4. That on arriving in New York he be instructed to -prepare a report, suggesting such plans and measures for -the adoption of the Committee in reference to either of -these missions as he may be able to recommend."</p></div> - -<p>Leaving New York, March 19, and proceeding by the way of the Ohio -and Mississippi rivers to Napoleon, thence up the White river, -across to Little Rock, and through Arkansas to the Choctaw country, -I arrived at Stockbridge, April 11. Including the portions of the -days occupied in passing from one station to another, I devoted three -days to Stockbridge, three to Wheelock, six to Pine Ridge, three to -Good-water, and three to Spencer; the latter a station of the mission -of the General Assembly's Board. Five days, with a call of a night -and half a day at Lenox, were occupied in the journey to the Cherokee -country, in which I spent two days at Dwight, and three at Park Hill; -my departure from which was on the 11th of May, just one month from my -arrival at Stockbridge. My return to New York was on May 31, ten and a -half weeks from the time of leaving it.</p> - -<p>I should do injustice to my own feelings, and to the members of the -two missions, not to state that my reception was everywhere one -of the utmost cordiality. The Choctaw mission, when my coming was -announced, agreed to observe a daily concert of prayer that it might -be blessed to them and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span> the end for which they were informed it was -designed. They met me in the spirit of prayer; our intercourse was -much a fellowship in prayer; and, through the favor of Him who heareth -prayer, its issue was one of mutual congratulation and thanksgiving.</p> - -<p>The visit, although a short one, afforded considerable opportunity -(which was diligently improved) for acquainting myself with the -views, feelings, plans and labors of the brethren of the missions. -Their attachment to their work, and to the Board with which they -are connected, is unwavering. With fidelity they prosecute the -great object of their high calling; and in view of the spiritual -and temporal transformation taking place around them, as the result -of the faithful proclamation of the gospel, we are compelled to -exclaim, "What hath God wrought!" It was pleasant to meet them, as -with frankness and fraternal affection they did me, in consultation -for the removal of difficulties, and the adoption of measures for -the advancement of the one end desired equally by them and by the -Prudential Committee.</p> - -<p>Several topics became subjects of conference, on some of which action -was taken by the missions; and on others recommendations will be -made by the Deputation, that need not be embraced in this report. In -respect to them all, there was entire harmony between the Deputation -and the missions.</p> - -<p>In their first resolution, the Committee requested me to repair to -the Choctaw Nation, with special reference to the embarrassments -and difficulties which have grown out of the action of the Choctaw -Council in the matter of the boarding schools. A condensed statement -of the action of the Council, and of the missionaries and Prudential -Committee, previous to the sending of the Deputation, seems to be here -called for.</p> - -<p>In the year 1842, the Choctaw Council, by law, placed four female -seminaries "under the direction and management of the American -Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions," subject only to "the -conditions, limitations, and restrictions rendered in the act." In -accordance with the act, a contract was entered into, by which the -schools were taken for a period of twenty years. The "conditions, -limitations and restrictions"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span> specified in the act and contract, so -far as they bind the Board, are the following: 1. The superintendents -and teachers, with their families, shall board at the same table with -the pupils. 2. In addition to letters, the pupils shall be taught -housewifery and sewing. 3. One-tenth of the pupils are to be orphans, -should so many apply for admission. 4. The Board shall appropriate to -the schools a sum equal to one-sixth of the moneys appropriated by the -Choctaw Council. With these exceptions, the "direction and management" -of the schools were to be as exclusively with the Board, as of any -schools supported by the funds of the Board.</p> - -<p>Thus the schools were carried forward until 1853. At the meeting -of the Council in that year, a new school law, containing several -provisions, (and sometimes spoken of in the plural as "laws,") -was enacted, bringing the Board, through its agents, under new -"conditions, restrictions and limitations." A Board of Trustees was -established, and a General Superintendent of schools provided for, -to discharge various specified duties, for the faithful performance -of which they are to give bonds in the sum of $5,000. The enactments -of this law, affecting the agents of the Board under the existing -contract, are the following:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>1. The Board of Trustees, convened by the General -Superintendent, are to hear and determine difficulties -between a trustee and any one connected with the schools; -to judge of the fitness of teachers, etc., and request the -Missionary Boards to remove any whose removal they may -think called for; and, in case of neglect to comply with -their wishes, to report the same to the Commissioner of -Indian Affairs through the United States Agent. Section 5.</p> - -<p>2. The Trustees are to select the scholars from their -several districts. Section 7.</p> - -<p>3. No slave or child of a slave is to be taught to read or -write "<em>in</em> or <em>at</em> any school," etc., by any one connected -in any capacity therewith, on pain of dismissal and -expulsion from the nation. Section 8.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span></p> - -<p>4. Annual examinations are to take place at times -designated by the General Superintendent. Section 10.</p> - -<p>5. The Trustees are empowered to suspend any school in case -of sickness or epidemics. Section 11.</p> - -<p>6. It is made the duty of the General Superintendent and -Trustees, promptly to remove, or report for removal, any -and all persons connected with the public schools or -academies known to be abolitionists, or who disseminate, or -attempt to disseminate, directly or indirectly, abolition -doctrines, or any other fanatical sentiments, which, in -their opinion, are dangerous to the peace and safety of the -Choctaw people. Section 13.</p></div> - -<p>By a separate act, the Board of Trustees was authorized to propose to -the Missionary Boards, having schools under contract with the Nation, -the insertion of a clause providing for a termination of the contract -by either party on giving six months' notice.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>With respect to the question, "Shall we submit to the provisions -and restrictions imposed by this new legislation, as a condition -of continued connection with the national schools?" the views of -the Prudential Committee and the brethren of the mission have been -entirely in declared agreement. As stated in the last Annual Report to -the Board, (p. 166,) "the Committee decided at once that they could -not carry on the schools upon the new basis; and in the propriety -of this action the missionaries concur." The concurrence of the -missionaries in this view, viz., that they could not carry on the -schools with a change from the original basis to that of the new -law, may be seen clearly expressed in their correspondence with the -Secretary having charge of the Indian missions; particularly in the -following communications: From Messrs. Kingsbury and Byington, as the -committee of the mission, under dates of December 14 and 27, 1853; Mr. -Kingsbury, January 4, and April 25, 1854; Mr. C. C. Copeland, March -1, 1854; Mr. Stark, August 22, 1854; Mr. Edwards, July 13, 1854; Mr. -H. K. Copeland, May 16, 1854. See also letters from Mr. Chamberlain, -January 7, and June<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span> 20, 1854. In some of these, the declaration is -made, that, in the apprehension of the writers, the schools must be -relinquished, <em>if the law should not be repealed</em>; one specifying, as -justificatory reasons, the breach of contract made, and the increased -difficulty of obtaining teachers—reasons also assigned by others; -another stating that he "never could consent to take charge of a -school under such regulations;" a third testifying, not only for -himself, but for every other member of the mission, an unwillingness -to continue connection with the schools with subjection to the new -requirements; a fourth affirming his "feeling" to be "that a strong -remonstrance should be presented to the Council, and on the strength -of it let the mission lay down these schools;" which, he states, would -not involve "giving up the instruction of these children, but would be -simply changing the plan," inasmuch as, according to his and others' -understanding of the case, the new law not having application to other -than the national schools, "at every station it will be found an easy -matter to have as large, and in some cases even larger, than our -present boarding schools."</p> - -<p>In certain other communications, the view which the Committee adopted, -is exhibited, together with the opinion that it would be better to -wait for a movement on the part of the Choctaw authorities before -giving up the schools. See letters from Mr. Byington, December 26, -1853; January 3 and 12, April 15, 1854; Mr. Kingsbury, February 1 -and 21, 1854; Mr. Chamberlain, January 13, 1854; Mr. Stark, February -6, 1854. This view was also formally announced, as understood by the -Committee, in resolutions of the mission at its meeting in May, 1854, -embracing a recommendation of a course of procedure with the hope of -securing the repeal by the next Council of the obnoxious law. See -Minutes, and letters of Mr. C. C. Copeland, May 19, and June 9, 1854. -The Prudential Committee, in the exercise of their discretion, as -a principal party to the contract, preferred another method, viz., -to address the Council directly, and sent a letter, under date of -August 1, 1854, to one of the missionaries for presentation. The -missionary, with the advice of his brethren<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span> given at their meeting -in September, (intelligence of which was received at the Missionary -House, October 20, thirty-five days subsequent to the meeting of -the Board at Hartford,) withheld the letter, on the ground that, in -their judgment, its presentation would defeat the object at which it -aimed, and be "disastrous to the churches, to the Choctaws, and to the -best interests of the colored race." In respect to this action for -obtaining the repeal of the school law, there was a difference between -the mission and the Committee. The missionaries desired delay, and -the leaving of the matter to their management. The decision of the -Committee, approved by the Board, "not to conduct the boarding schools -in the Choctaw Nation in conformity with the principles prescribed by -the recent legislation of the Choctaw Council,"<a name="FNanchor_A_1" id="FNanchor_A_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_1" class="fnanchor">[A]</a> was in agreement -with the previously and subsequently expressed sentiments of all the -missionaries; the objection felt by some of them to this resolution -being, not to the position which it assumes, but to the declaration of -it at that time by the Board. This being a determined question, its -settlement formed no part of the object for which the Deputation was -sent.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_A_1" id="Footnote_A_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_1"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> Resolution of the Board adopted at Hartford.</p></div> - -<p>Two other questions, however, required careful examination; and on -these free conference was had with the brethren at their stations, and -in a meeting of the mission held at Good-water, April 25 and 26, Mr. -Edwards, who was absent from the mission, and Dr. Hobbs, not being -present: 1. The law remaining unrepealed, is it practicable to carry -on the schools while refusing conformity to the new "conditions, -limitations and restrictions" imposed by it? 2. If so, is it expedient -to do it?</p> - -<p>On the first of these questions, the opinion of the missionaries was -in the affirmative. No attempt has been made to carry out these new -provisions. The Trustees and General Superintendent have not given -the required bond. One of the Trustees informed me that he should not -give it, and that in his belief the law would remain a dead letter, -if not repealed, as it was his hope that it would be. The course of -the missionaries has been in no degree changed by it. The teaching of -slaves<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span> in these schools has never been practiced or contemplated. The -law was aimed at such teaching in their families and Sabbath schools. -So the missionaries and the people understand it. It is generally -known among the latter that the former are ready to give up these -schools, rather than retain them on condition of subjection to this -law. Our brethren are now carrying on the schools, and doing in all -other respects, just as they were before the new law was enacted; and -they have confidence that they may continue to do so.</p> - -<p>The second question was one of more uncertainty to my own mind, and -in the minds of some of the mission. The maintenance of these schools -is a work of great difficulty. In the opinion of several of the -missionaries, it was at least doubtful whether the cost in health, -perplexity, trouble in obtaining teachers, time which might be devoted -to preaching, and money, was not too great for the results; and it -was suggested that an opportunity, afforded by divine Providence for -relieving us from a burden too heavy to sustain for nine years longer, -should be embraced. See letters from Mr. Hotchkin, March 21, 1854; Mr. -H. K. Copeland, January 23, and July 27, 1854; Mr. Lansing, December -22, 1853, and May 13, 1854. The fact and manner of the suspension -of the school at Good-water, in 1853, were portentous of increasing -embarrassment from other causes than the new school law; and grave -objections exist to the connection with civil government of any -department of missionary operations.</p> - -<p>My observation of the schools, however, interested me much in their -behalf. They are doing a good work for the nation. Many of the pupils -become Christian wives, mothers and teachers. The people appreciate -them highly; and I was assured of a general desire that they should -remain in the hands of the mission, unsubjected to the inadmissible -new conditions of the recent legislation. In view of all the -relations, which after full consideration the subject seemed to have, -the following resolution, expressing the sentiment of the Deputation -and the mission, was cheerfully and unanimously adopted by the -mission; one of the older members, however, avowing some difficulty in -giving his assent to the latter part of it, viz:</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span></p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>"<em>Resolved</em>, That while we should esteem it our duty to -relinquish the female boarding schools at Pine Ridge, -Wheelock and Stockbridge, rather than to carry them on -under the provisions and restrictions of the late school -law, yet regarding it as improbable that the requirement -so to do will be enforced, we deem it important, in the -present circumstances of the Choctaw Nation and mission, to -continue our connection with them <em>on the original basis</em>, -and carry them forward with new hope and energy."</p></div> - -<p>Our hope of being allowed to maintain these schools as heretofore, -and make them increasingly useful, may be disappointed. Neither the -Prudential Committee nor the mission wish to retain them, if they for -whose benefit alone they have been taken, prefer that we should give -them up. The relinquishment of them would be a release from a weight -of labor, anxiety and care, that nothing but our love for the Choctaws -could induce us longer to bear. Our desire is only to do them good.</p> - -<p>A second subject of conference, but the one first considered, was -the principles, particularly in relation to slavery, on which the -Prudential Committee, with the formally expressed approbation of the -Board, aim to conduct its missions. I found certain misapprehensions -existing in the minds of a portion of the mission in regard to the -origin and circumstances of the action of the Board at the last -annual meeting, which I was happy to correct. Several of the members, -including one of the two not present at this meeting of the mission, -have ever cordially approved the correspondence in which the views of -principles entertained by the Committee were stated. Others, being -with those just referred to a decided majority of the whole body as at -present constituted, have expressed their agreement with those views -as freely explained in personal intercourse, with an exhibition of -the intended meaning of his own written language, by the Secretary -who was the organ of the Committee in communicating them. Others have -supposed themselves to differ, in some degree, from these principles -when correctly apprehended. A full comparison of views, to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> their -mutual great satisfaction, showed much less difference than was -thought to exist between the members of the mission themselves, and -between a part of the mission and what the Deputation understands to -be the views of the Prudential Committee. A statement of principles -drawn up at Good-water, as being in the estimation of the Deputation -(distinctly and repeatedly so declared) those which the Committee had -set forth in their correspondence, particularly that had with the -mission in 1848, was unanimously adopted, as the brethren say, "for -the better and more harmonious prosecution of the great objects of -the Choctaw mission on the part of the Prudential Committee and the -members of the mission, and for the removal of any and all existing -difficulties which have grown out of public discussions and action on -the subject of slavery; it being understood that the sentiments now -approved are not in the estimation of the brethren of the mission new, -but such as for a long series of years have really been held by them."</p> - -<p>The statement is given, with the appended resolution, in the following -words:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>1. Slavery, as a system, and in its own proper nature, is -what it is described to be, in the General Assembly's Act -of 1818, and the Report of the American Board adopted at -Brooklyn in 1845.</p> - -<p>2. Privation of liberty in holding slaves is, therefore, -not to be ranked with things indifferent, but with -those which, if not made right by special justificatory -circumstances and the intention of the doer, are morally -wrong.</p> - -<p>3. Those are to be admitted to the communion of the church, -of whom the missionary and (in Presbyterian churches) -his session have satisfactory evidence that they are in -fellowship with Christ.</p> - -<p>4. The evidence, in one view of it, of fellowship with -Christ, is a manifested desire and aim to be conformed, in -all things, to the spirit and requirements of the word of -God.</p> - -<p>5. Such desire and aim are to be looked for in reference -to slavery, slaveholding, and dealing with slaves, as in -regard to other matters; not less, not more.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span></p> - -<p>6. The missionary must, under a solemn sense of -responsibility to Christ, act on his own judgment of that -evidence when obtained, and on the manner of obtaining -it. He is at liberty to pursue that course which he may -deem most discreet in eliciting views and feelings as to -slavery, as with respect to other things, right views and -feelings concerning which he seeks as evidence of Christian -character.</p> - -<p>7. The missionary is responsible, not for correct views -and action on the part of his session and church members, -but only for an honest and proper endeavor to secure -correctness of views and action under the same obligations -and limitations on this subject as on others. He is to go -only to the extent of his rights and responsibilities as a -minister of Christ.</p> - -<p>8. The missionary, in the exercise of a wise discretion -as to time, place, manner and amount of instruction, is -decidedly to discountenance indulgence in known sin and -the neglect of known duty, and so to instruct his hearers -that they may understand all Christian duty. With that -wisdom which is profitable to direct, he is to exhibit the -legitimate bearing of the gospel upon every moral evil, in -order to its removal in the most desirable way; and upon -slavery, as upon other moral evils. As a missionary, he -has nothing to do with political questions and agitations. -He is to deal alone, and as a Christian instructor and -pastor, with what is morally wrong, that the people of God -may separate themselves therefrom, and a right standard of -moral action be held up before the world.</p> - -<p>9. While, as in war, there can be no shedding of blood -without sin somewhere attached, and yet the individual -soldier may not be guilty of it; so, while slavery is -always sinful, we cannot esteem every one who is legally a -slaveholder a wrong-doer for sustaining the legal relation. -When it is made unavoidable by the laws of the State, the -obligations of guardianship, or the demands of humanity, -it is not to be deemed an offence against the rule of -Christian right. Yet missionaries are carefully to guard, -and in the proper way to warn others to guard, against -unduly extending this plea of necessity or the good of the -slave, against making it a cover for the love and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span> practice -of slavery, or a pretence for not using efforts that are -lawful and practicable to extinguish this evil.</p> - -<p>10. Missionaries are to enjoin upon all masters and -servants obedience to the directions specially addressed to -them in the Holy Scriptures, and to explain and illustrate -the precepts containing them.</p> - -<p>11. In the exercise of discipline in the churches, under -the same obligations and limitations as in regard to other -acts of wrong-doing, and which are recognized in the action -of ministers with reference to other matters in evangelical -churches where slavery does not exist, missionaries are -to set their faces against all overt acts in relation -to this subject, which are manifestly unchristian and -sinful; such as the treatment of slaves with inhumanity and -oppression; keeping from them the knowledge of God's holy -will; disregarding the sanctity of the marriage relation; -trifling with the affections of parents, and setting at -naught the claims of children on their natural protectors; -and regarding and treating human beings as articles of -merchandise.</p> - -<p>12. For various reasons, we agree in the inexpediency of -our employing slave labor in other cases than those of -manifest necessity; it being understood that the objection -of the Prudential Committee to the employment of such labor -is to that extent only.</p> - -<p>13. Agreeing thus in essential principles, missionaries -associated in the same field should exercise charity -towards each other, and have confidence in one another, in -respect to differences which, from diversity of judgment, -temperament, or other individual peculiarities, and from -difference of circumstances in which they are placed, may -arise among them in the practical carrying out of these -principles; and we think that this should be done by others -towards us as a missionary body.</p> - -<p><em>Resolved</em>, That we agree in the foregoing as an expression -of our views concerning our relations and duties as -missionaries in regard to the subject treated of; and are -happy to believe that, having this agreement with what we -now understand to be the views of the Prudential Committee, -we may<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span> have their confidence, as they have ours, in the -continued prosecution together of the great work to which -the great Head of the church has called us among this -people.</p></div> - -<p>The statement thus approved was read throughout, and was afterwards -considered in detail, each member of the mission expressing his views -upon it as fully, and keeping it under consideration as long, as he -desired to do. After the assent given to it, article by article, on -the day following it was again read, and the question was taken upon -it as a whole, with the appended resolution, each of the eight members -giving his vote in favor of its adoption. It is perhaps proper also -to mention that no change by way of emendation, addition or omission -of phraseology was found necessary to make it such as any member of -the mission would be willing to accept. It should farther be stated, -that while the first article was under consideration, the act of the -General Assembly of the Presbyterian church, adopted in 1818, was -read, and its strongest expressions duly weighed. The document thus -considered and referred to, is herewith submitted as a part of this -report.<a name="FNanchor_B_2" id="FNanchor_B_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_B_2" class="fnanchor">[B]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_B_2" id="Footnote_B_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_B_2"><span class="label">[B]</span></a> "The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, having -taken into consideration the subject of slavery, think proper to make -known their sentiments upon it to the churches and people under their -care. We consider the voluntary enslaving of one part of the human -race by another, as a gross violation of the most precious and sacred -rights of human nature; as utterly inconsistent with the law of God, -which requires us to love our neighbor as ourselves, and as totally -irreconcilable with the spirit and principles of the gospel of Christ, -which enjoins that 'all things whatsoever ye would that men should do -to you, do ye even so to them.' Slavery creates a paradox in the moral -system; it exhibits rational, accountable and immortal beings in such -circumstances as scarcely to leave them the power of moral action. It -exhibits them as dependent on the will of others, whether they shall -receive religions instruction; whether they shall know and worship -the true God; whether they shall enjoy the ordinances of the Gospel; -whether they shall perform the duties and cherish the endearments -of husbands and wives, parents and children, neighbors and friends; -whether they shall preserve their chastity and purity, or regard the -dictates of justice and humanity. Such are some of the consequences -of slavery—consequences not imaginary, but which connect themselves -with its very existence. The evils to which the slave is always -exposed often take place in fact, and in their very worst degree and -form; and where all of them do not take place, as we rejoice to say in -many instances, through the influence of the principles of humanity -and religion on the mind of masters, they do not—still the slave is -deprived of his natural right, degraded as a human being, and exposed -to the danger of passing into the hands of a master who may inflict -upon him all the hardships and injuries which inhumanity and avarice -may suggest. -</p> -<p> -"From this view of the consequences resulting from the practice into -which Christian people have most inconsistently fallen, of enslaving -a portion of their brethren of mankind—for 'God hath made of one -blood all nations of men to dwell on the face of the earth'—it is -manifestly the duty of all Christians who enjoy the light of the -present day, when the inconsistency of slavery, both with the dictates -of humanity and religion, has been demonstrated, and is generally -seen and acknowledged, to use their honest, earnest, and unwearied -endeavors to correct the errors of former times, and as speedily as -possible to efface this blot on our holy religion, and to obtain the -complete abolition of slavery throughout Christendom, and if possible -throughout the world. -</p> -<p> -"We rejoice that the Church to which we belong commenced, as early -as any other in this country, the good work of endeavoring to put an -end to slavery, and that in the same work many of its members have -ever since been, and now are, among the most active, vigorous and -efficient laborers. We do, indeed, tenderly sympathize with those -portions of our Church and our country where the evil of slavery has -been entailed upon them; where a great, and the most virtuous part of -the community abhor slavery, and wish its extermination as sincerely -as any others—but where the number of slaves, their ignorance, and -their vicious habits generally, render an immediate and universal -emancipation inconsistent alike with the safety and happiness of the -master and the slave. With those who are thus circumstanced, we repeat -that we tenderly sympathize. At the same time we earnestly exhort them -to continue, and if possible to increase their exertions to effect a -total abolition of slavery. We exhort them to suffer no greater delay -to take place in this most interesting concern, than a regard to the -public welfare truly and indispensably demands. -</p> -<p> -"As our country has inflicted a most grievous injury on the unhappy -Africans, by bringing them into slavery, we cannot indeed urge that -we should add a second injury to the first, by emancipating them in -such manner as that they will be likely to destroy themselves or -others. But we do think, that our country ought to be governed in this -matter by no other consideration than an honest and impartial regard -to the happiness of the injured party, uninfluenced by the expense or -inconvenience which such a regard may involve. We, therefore, warn all -who belong to our denomination of Christians against unduly extending -this plea of necessity; against making it a cover for the love and -practice of slavery, or a pretence for not using efforts that are -lawful and practicable, to extinguish this evil. -</p> -<p> -"And we, at the same time, exhort others to forbear harsh censures, -and uncharitable reflections on their brethren, who unhappily live -among slaves whom they cannot immediately set free; but who, at -the same time, are really using all their influence, and all their -endeavors, to bring them into a state of freedom, as soon as a door -for it can be safely opened. -</p> -<p> -"Having thus expressed our views of slavery, and of the duty -indispensably incumbent on all Christians to labor for its complete -extinction, we proceed to recommend—and we do it with all the -earnestness and solemnity which this momentous subject demands—a -particular attention to the following points. -</p> -<p> -"We recommend to all our people to patronize and encourage the Society -lately formed for colonizing in Africa, the land of their ancestors, -the free people of color in our country. We hope that much good may -result from the plans and efforts of this Society. And while we -exceedingly rejoice to have witnessed its origin and organization -among the holders of slaves, as giving an unequivocal pledge of their -desires to deliver themselves and their country from the calamity of -slavery; we hope that those portions of the American union, whose -inhabitants are by a gracious Providence more favorably circumstanced, -will cordially, and liberally, and earnestly co-operate with their -brethren, in bringing about the great end contemplated. -</p> -<p> -"We recommend to all the members of our religious denomination, not -only to permit, but to facilitate and encourage the instruction of -their slaves in the principles and duties of the Christian religion; -by granting them liberty to attend on the preaching of the gospel, -when they have opportunity; by favoring the instruction of them in the -Sabbath school, wherever those schools can be formed; and by giving -them all other proper advantages for acquiring a knowledge of their -duty both to God and to man. We are perfectly satisfied that it is -incumbent on all Christians to communicate religious instruction to -those who are under their authority; so that the doing of this in the -case before us, so far from operating, as some have apprehended that -it might, as an incitement to insubordination and insurrection, would, -on the contrary, operate as the most powerful means for the prevention -of those evils. -</p> -<p> -"We enjoin it on all church sessions and presbyteries, under the -care of this Assembly, to discountenance, and as far as possible to -prevent all cruelty of whatever kind in the treatment of slaves; -especially the cruelty of separating husband and wife, parents and -children, and that which consists in selling slaves to those who will -either themselves deprive these unhappy people of the blessings of -the gospel, or who will transport them to places where the gospel is -not proclaimed, or where it is forbidden to slaves to attend upon its -institutions. And if it shall ever happen that a Christian professor -in our communion shall sell a slave who is also in communion and good -standing with our church, contrary to his or her will and inclination, -it ought immediately to claim the particular attention of the proper -church judicature; and unless there be such peculiar circumstances -attending the case as can but seldom happen, it ought to be followed, -without delay, by a suspension of the offender from all the privileges -of the church, till he repent, and make all the reparation in his -power to the injured party." See Assembly's Digest, pp. 274-8.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span></p></div> - -<p>So also was adduced the abundant testimony contained in the Report of -the American Board adopted in 1845, as to what in its view slavery, -without qualification of place or time, and as it exists in the -United States and among the Indians, is: such as its classification -of slavery with war, polygamy, the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> castes of India, and other things -which it speaks of as "social and moral evils;" and such language as -the following: "The Committee do not deem it necessary to discuss the -general subject of slavery as it exists in these United States, or to -enlarge on the wickedness of the system, or on the disastrous<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span> moral -and social influences which slavery exerts upon the less enlightened -and less civilized communities where the missionaries of this Board -are laboring:" "The unrighteousness of the principles on which the -whole system is based, and the violation of the natural rights of -man, the debasement, wickedness and misery it involves, and which are -in fact witnessed to a greater or less extent wherever it exists, -must call forth the hearty condemnation of all possessed of Christian -feeling and sense of right, and make its removal an object of earnest -and prayerful desire to every friend of God and man:" "Strongly as -your committee are convinced of the wrongfulness and evil tendencies -of slaveholding, and ardently as they desire its speedy and universal -termination, still they cannot think that in all cases it involves -individual guilt in such a manner that every person implicated in it -can, on scriptural grounds, be excluded from Christian fellowship. In -the language of Dr. Chalmers, 'Distinction ought to be made between -the character of a <em>system</em>, and the character of the persons whom -circumstances have implicated therewith; nor would it always be just, -if all the recoil and horror wherewith the former is contemplated, -were visited in the form of condemnation and moral indignancy upon the -latter. Slavery we hold to be a <em>system</em> chargeable with atrocities -and evils, often the most hideous and appalling which have either -afflicted or deformed our species; yet we must not, therefore, say of -every man born within its territory, who has grown up familiar with -its sickening spectacles, and not only by his habits been<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span> inured -to its transactions and sights, but who by inheritance is himself -the owner of slaves, that unless he make the resolute sacrifice, and -renounce his property in slaves, he is, therefore, not a Christian, -and should be treated as an outcast from all the distinctions -and privileges of Christian society.'" And the language (quoted -approvingly) unanimously uttered by the General Assembly of the Free -Church of Scotland: "Without being prepared to adopt the principle -that, in the circumstances in which they are placed, the churches in -America ought to consider slaveholding <em>per se</em> an insuperable barrier -in the way of enjoying Christian privileges, or an offence to be -visited with excommunication, all must agree in holding that whatever -rights the civil law of the land may give a master over his slaves -as <em>chattels personal</em>, it cannot be but sin of the deepest dye to -regard and treat them as such; and whosoever commits that sin in any -sense, or deals otherwise than as a Christian man ought to deal with -his fellow-man, whatever power the law may give him over them, ought -to be held disqualified for Christian communion. Farther, it must be -the opinion of all, that it is the duty of Christians, when they find -themselves unhappily in the predicament of slaveholders, to aim, as -far as it may be practicable, at the manumission of their slaves; and -when that cannot be accomplished, to secure them in the enjoyment of -the domestic relations, and of the means of religious training and -education."</p> - -<p>All this, and more, was immediately before the minds of the members -of the mission, and with so much of the connection as to give the -true sense, when they declared that slavery is what, in the documents -referred to, it is described to be, and made their own the statement -of principles above given, as those on which, as missionaries, they -should deal with this subject in the circumstances of their field of -labor, and when it is to them a practical missionary question.</p> - -<p>The Cherokee mission in session at Park Hill, May 9, adopted a -resolution of concurrence with the Choctaw mission in approving this -statement.</p> - -<p>Excluding two churches then connected with the mission of the Board, -and since transferred to another mission, there<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span> were in 1848, under -the care of the American Board, in the Choctaw Nation, six churches -with a total membership of 536 persons, of whom 25 were slaveholders, -and 64 were slaves. The churches are now 11 in number, containing -1,094 members; of whom, as nearly as I could ascertain, 20 are -slaveholders, (some of them being husband and wife, and generally -having but one or two slaves each,) and 60 are slaves. Six of the -churches have no slaveholder in them; two have but one each. Of the -slaveholders in these churches, four have been admitted since 1848; -one by transfer from another denomination, and three on profession -of their faith; none of the latter having been received since -1850. Statements were made to me respecting each of these latter -cases, which show that the principles assented to by the mission at -Good-water, as above presented, were practically carried out in regard -to them.</p> - -<p>In the Cherokee mission, in 1848, there were five churches, having -237 members, of whom 24 were slaveholders, and 23 were slaves. In the -five churches now in that mission, there are 207 members, of whom 17 -(there is uncertainty in regard to one of this number) are reported -as slaveholders. Three have been admitted since 1848 on profession of -their faith, and two by letter; one of the latter from a church in New -Hampshire. Of these the same remark may be made as above in respect to -similar cases among the Choctaws.</p> - -<p>The Choctaw mission embraces eleven families and three large boarding -schools. Five slaves, hired at their own desire, are in the employment -of the missionaries. A less number are employed in the Cherokee -mission. Gladly would the missionaries dispense with these, could the -necessary amount of free labor for domestic service be obtained. Those -who employ this slave labor, allege that it is to them a matter of -painful necessity. They are known to resort to it unwillingly, and are -not regarded as thereby giving their sanction to slavery. Some thus -employed have been brought to a saving knowledge of divine truth.</p> - -<p>The sentiments of these two missions as to the moral character of -slavery, and the principles on which they should act with regard to -it, are frankly and unequivocally avowed.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span> We are bound to believe -them honest in the expression of these sentiments. It is their -expectation that the principles thus acknowledged as their own will -be those on which the missions will be conducted. The adjudication of -particular cases must be left to the missionary. That it be so left, -is his right; it is also unavoidable. The position of the missionaries -is one of great difficulty, and should be appreciated. That there -is such a diversity of judgment among them as men of independent -thought and differing mental characteristics, who agree in essential -principles, everywhere evince; and that they have, through a use of -phraseology leading sometimes to a mutual misunderstanding of each -other's views, supposed themselves to differ more widely than, in our -conferences, they found themselves really to do, has been intimated. -That none of them have sympathy with slavery; that, on the other hand, -their influence is directly and strongly adverse to its continuance, -while they are doing much in mitigation of its evils and to bless -both master and slave, in the judgment of the Deputation, is beyond -a doubt. By many they are denounced as abolitionists. Some of their -slave-holding church members have left their churches for another -connection on this account. Others have disconnected themselves from -a system which they have learned to dislike and disapprove. Strong in -the confidence and affection of many for whose salvation they have -toiled and suffered, by the supporters of slavery, in and out of the -nations, they undoubtedly are looked upon with growing suspicion. -Surely we should not be willing needlessly to embarrass them in their -blessed work. They are worthy of the confidence and warmest sympathy -of every friend of the red man and of the black man. God is with them. -In the Cherokee mission, the dispensation of his grace is not, indeed, -now as in times past; and we have some seriousness of apprehension -in regard to the progress of the gospel among that people. Still the -divine presence is not wanting. Among the Choctaws rapid advance is -making. Converts are multiplying; the fruits of the gospel abound. -Both missions need reinforcement. Men filled with the spirit of -Christ, able to endure hardness, of practical wisdom,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> which knows how -to do good, and not to do only harm when good is meant, men of faith, -energy, meekness and prayer, who will commend themselves to every -man's conscience in the sight of God as his servants, are required. -It gave me pleasure to assure the missions of the strong desire of -the Prudential Committee, and of my future personal endeavors, to -obtain such men for them. No philanthropist can behold the change -which has been wrought for these lately pagan, savage tribes, now -orderly christianized communities, advancing in civilization, to -take ere long, if they go on in their course, their place with those -whose Christian civilization is the growth of many centuries, without -admiration and delight. But there is much yet to be done for them. -"This nation," says the Choctaw mission in a published letter, "in -its improvements, schools, churches, and public spirit pertaining -to the great cause of benevolence, is but an <em>infant</em>." We must not -expect too much from these churches in which we glory. Much fostering -and training do they yet need; and there are many souls yet to be -enlightened and saved. Wonderful as are the renovation and elevation -which the gospel, taught in its simplicity by faithful men, has -already given to these communities, our only hope for them, and for -the colored race in the midst of them, is in the continued application -of the same power through the same instrumentality.</p> - -<p>It was the privilege of the Deputation to spend a part of three days, -including a Sabbath, at Spencer Academy, an institution containing -one hundred male pupils, excellently managed under the charge of the -Board of the General Assembly; and to attend there a "big meeting," -or a camp meeting, at which several hundreds were present. My -intercourse with brethren at that station, and the scenes in which -I there mingled; the fellowship in Christ with the heralds of his -cross, some of them bowed with the weight of many years of wearing -toil and affliction, and hastening to their glorious crown already -won by honored names, no longer with them, of our own mission; and -the interchange of sympathy with the disciples of Christ, whom God -has given them as the fruit of their labor, will ever live among the -pleasantest recollections of my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span> life. I am constrained to repeat -my testimony to the fraternal and Christian spirit with which the -brethren met my endeavors to remove difficulties, strengthen the -ties that bind them and the Board together, and clear the way for -harmonious and more energetic prosecution of the great work in which -we are associated. To a good degree this object, we may hope, has -been gained. To Him, whose is their work and ours, and to whom the -interests involved are infinitely more precious than to any of us who -are connected with them, we commit the future keeping of this great -trust.</p> - -<p>It is due to the Choctaw mission that I communicate to the Committee -the following resolution, presented by the Rev. Mr. Byington, and -adopted by the mission at the close of its meeting at Good-water:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>"<em>Resolved</em>, That the cordial thanks of the members of -the mission be presented to the Rev. Geo. W. Wood, the -Secretary of the A. B. C. F. M., who is with us as a -Deputation from the Prudential Committee, for his kind, -wise and successful efforts in our mission to remove the -weight of anxiety which has long pressed down our hearts -in connection with the subject of slavery. We now rejoice -much in this mutual and kind interchange of thoughts and -affections. We would pray for grace ever to walk in the -path of life, and that blessings may attend him, while with -us and on his way home, his family and brethren during his -absence, as well as our mission and the American Board and -all its officers. With peculiar sincerity of heart and -gratitude to our Savior, we present to him this token of -regard for our dear brother, and make this record of divine -mercy toward our mission."</p> - -<p class="center"> -All which is respectfully submitted,</p> - -<p class="author">Geo. W. Wood</p> - -<p><em>Rooms of the A. B. C. F. M., New York, June</em> 13, 1855. -</p> -</div> - -<p>This communication of the Prudential Committee was referred to a -special committee, consisting of Dr. Beman, Dr. Thomas De Witt, Dr. -Hawes, Chief Justice Williams, Doct. Lyndon A. Smith, Dr. J. A. -Stearns, and Hon. Linus Child, who subsequently made the following -report:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>Your committee have endeavored to look at this paper in -its intrinsic character and practical bearings, and they -are happy<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> to state their unanimous conviction, that this -visit will mark an auspicious era in the history of these -missions. The report of Mr. Wood is characterized by great -clearness and precision; and it presents the whole matters -pending between the Prudential Committee and these missions -fully before us. The conferences of the Deputation with -the missionaries appear to have been conducted in a truly -Christian spirit; and the results which are set forth in -the resolutions, adopted with much deliberation and after -full discussion, are such as we may all hail with Christian -gratitude.</p> - -<p>It is the opinion of your committee that the great end -which has been aimed at by the Prudential Committee in -their correspondence with these missions, for several years -past, and by the Board in their resolutions adopted at the -last annual meeting, has been substantially accomplished. -While your committee admit that there may be some -incidental points on which an honest diversity of opinion -may exist, yet they fully believe that this adjustment -should be deemed satisfactory, and that further agitation -is not called for. While your committee cannot take it -upon themselves to predict what new developments, calling -for new action hereafter, <em>may</em> take place, they are -unanimously of the opinion that the Prudential Committee, -and these laborious and efficient missionaries on this -field of Christian effort, may go forward, on the basis -adopted, in perfect harmony in the prosecution of their -future work.</p> - -<p>Your committee feel that the thanks of this Board are due -to Mr. Wood and our missionary brethren, for the manner -in which they have met, considered, and adjusted these -difficult matters which have been long in debate; and at -the same time they would not forget that God is the source -of all true light in our deepest darkness, and that to him -<em>all the glory is ever due</em>.</p></div> - -<p>The foregoing report of the select committee was adopted by the Board.</p> - - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 243px;"> -<img src="images/blankcover.jpg" width="243" height="400" alt="blank cover" /> -</div> - - -<p class="transnote">Transcriber's Notes<br /><br /> - - -The footnote locations and anchor symbols have been changed from the -original document.</p> - - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Report of Mr. Wood's Visit to the -Choctaw and Cherokee Missions. 1855, by George W. 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Wood - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Report of Mr. Wood's Visit to the Choctaw and Cherokee Missions. 1855 - -Author: George W. Wood - -Release Date: December 21, 2015 [EBook #50734] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK REPORT OF MR. WOOD'S VISIT *** - - - - -Produced by Donald Cummings, Bryan Ness, Diane Monico, and -the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at -http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images -generously made available by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - - - - - - -REPORT - -OF - -MR. WOOD'S VISIT - -TO THE - -CHOCTAW AND CHEROKEE MISSIONS. - -1855. - - -BOSTON: -PRESS OF T. R. MARVIN, 42 CONGRESS STREET. -1855. - - - - -REPORT. - - -At the meeting of the Board held in Utica, New York, September, -1855, the Prudential Committee submitted a special communication in -reference to the Choctaw and Cherokee missions, in which they say: -"Since the last meeting of the Board, it has seemed desirable that -one of the Secretaries should visit the Indian missions in the South -West, for the purpose of conferring fully and freely with them in -reference to certain questions which have an important bearing upon -their work. Mr. Wood, therefore, was directed to perform this service; -which he did in the spring of the present year. After his return to -New York, he drew up a report of this visit, and presented the same -to the Prudential Committee. It is deemed proper that this document -should be laid before the Board at the earliest opportunity; and it is -herewith submitted. The results obtained by this conference are highly -satisfactory to the Committee." - -The report of Mr. Wood is in the following language: - -_To the Prudential Committee of the American Board of Commissioners -for Foreign Missions_: - -I have to report a visit made by me to the Choctaw and Cherokee -missions, in obedience to instructions contained in the following -resolutions adopted by you, March 6, 1855: - - "_Resolved_, 1. That Mr. Wood be requested to repair to the - Choctaw Nation, at his earliest convenience, with a view - to a fraternal conference with the brethren in that field - in respect to the difficulties and embarrassments which - have grown out of the action of the Choctaw Council in the - matter of the boarding schools, and also in respect to any - other question which may seem to require his attention. - - "2. That, in case the spring meeting of the Choctaw mission - shall not occur at a convenient time, he be authorized to - call a meeting at such time and place as he shall designate. - - "3. That on his return from the Choctaw mission he be - requested to confer with the brethren of the Cherokee - mission, in regard to any matter that may appear to call - for his consideration, and that he be authorized to call a - meeting for this purpose. - - "4. That on arriving in New York he be instructed to - prepare a report, suggesting such plans and measures for - the adoption of the Committee in reference to either of - these missions as he may be able to recommend." - -Leaving New York, March 19, and proceeding by the way of the Ohio -and Mississippi rivers to Napoleon, thence up the White river, -across to Little Rock, and through Arkansas to the Choctaw country, -I arrived at Stockbridge, April 11. Including the portions of the -days occupied in passing from one station to another, I devoted three -days to Stockbridge, three to Wheelock, six to Pine Ridge, three to -Good-water, and three to Spencer; the latter a station of the mission -of the General Assembly's Board. Five days, with a call of a night -and half a day at Lenox, were occupied in the journey to the Cherokee -country, in which I spent two days at Dwight, and three at Park Hill; -my departure from which was on the 11th of May, just one month from my -arrival at Stockbridge. My return to New York was on May 31, ten and a -half weeks from the time of leaving it. - -I should do injustice to my own feelings, and to the members of the -two missions, not to state that my reception was everywhere one -of the utmost cordiality. The Choctaw mission, when my coming was -announced, agreed to observe a daily concert of prayer that it might -be blessed to them and the end for which they were informed it was -designed. They met me in the spirit of prayer; our intercourse was -much a fellowship in prayer; and, through the favor of Him who heareth -prayer, its issue was one of mutual congratulation and thanksgiving. - -The visit, although a short one, afforded considerable opportunity -(which was diligently improved) for acquainting myself with the -views, feelings, plans and labors of the brethren of the missions. -Their attachment to their work, and to the Board with which they -are connected, is unwavering. With fidelity they prosecute the -great object of their high calling; and in view of the spiritual -and temporal transformation taking place around them, as the result -of the faithful proclamation of the gospel, we are compelled to -exclaim, "What hath God wrought!" It was pleasant to meet them, as -with frankness and fraternal affection they did me, in consultation -for the removal of difficulties, and the adoption of measures for -the advancement of the one end desired equally by them and by the -Prudential Committee. - -Several topics became subjects of conference, on some of which action -was taken by the missions; and on others recommendations will be -made by the Deputation, that need not be embraced in this report. In -respect to them all, there was entire harmony between the Deputation -and the missions. - -In their first resolution, the Committee requested me to repair to -the Choctaw Nation, with special reference to the embarrassments -and difficulties which have grown out of the action of the Choctaw -Council in the matter of the boarding schools. A condensed statement -of the action of the Council, and of the missionaries and Prudential -Committee, previous to the sending of the Deputation, seems to be here -called for. - -In the year 1842, the Choctaw Council, by law, placed four female -seminaries "under the direction and management of the American -Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions," subject only to "the -conditions, limitations, and restrictions rendered in the act." In -accordance with the act, a contract was entered into, by which the -schools were taken for a period of twenty years. The "conditions, -limitations and restrictions" specified in the act and contract, so -far as they bind the Board, are the following: 1. The superintendents -and teachers, with their families, shall board at the same table with -the pupils. 2. In addition to letters, the pupils shall be taught -housewifery and sewing. 3. One-tenth of the pupils are to be orphans, -should so many apply for admission. 4. The Board shall appropriate to -the schools a sum equal to one-sixth of the moneys appropriated by the -Choctaw Council. With these exceptions, the "direction and management" -of the schools were to be as exclusively with the Board, as of any -schools supported by the funds of the Board. - -Thus the schools were carried forward until 1853. At the meeting -of the Council in that year, a new school law, containing several -provisions, (and sometimes spoken of in the plural as "laws,") -was enacted, bringing the Board, through its agents, under new -"conditions, restrictions and limitations." A Board of Trustees was -established, and a General Superintendent of schools provided for, -to discharge various specified duties, for the faithful performance -of which they are to give bonds in the sum of $5,000. The enactments -of this law, affecting the agents of the Board under the existing -contract, are the following: - - 1. The Board of Trustees, convened by the General - Superintendent, are to hear and determine difficulties - between a trustee and any one connected with the schools; - to judge of the fitness of teachers, etc., and request the - Missionary Boards to remove any whose removal they may - think called for; and, in case of neglect to comply with - their wishes, to report the same to the Commissioner of - Indian Affairs through the United States Agent. Section 5. - - 2. The Trustees are to select the scholars from their - several districts. Section 7. - - 3. No slave or child of a slave is to be taught to read or - write "_in_ or _at_ any school," etc., by any one connected - in any capacity therewith, on pain of dismissal and - expulsion from the nation. Section 8. - - 4. Annual examinations are to take place at times - designated by the General Superintendent. Section 10. - - 5. The Trustees are empowered to suspend any school in case - of sickness or epidemics. Section 11. - - 6. It is made the duty of the General Superintendent and - Trustees, promptly to remove, or report for removal, any - and all persons connected with the public schools or - academies known to be abolitionists, or who disseminate, or - attempt to disseminate, directly or indirectly, abolition - doctrines, or any other fanatical sentiments, which, in - their opinion, are dangerous to the peace and safety of the - Choctaw people. Section 13. - -By a separate act, the Board of Trustees was authorized to propose to -the Missionary Boards, having schools under contract with the Nation, -the insertion of a clause providing for a termination of the contract -by either party on giving six months' notice. - - * * * * * - -With respect to the question, "Shall we submit to the provisions -and restrictions imposed by this new legislation, as a condition -of continued connection with the national schools?" the views of -the Prudential Committee and the brethren of the mission have been -entirely in declared agreement. As stated in the last Annual Report to -the Board, (p. 166,) "the Committee decided at once that they could -not carry on the schools upon the new basis; and in the propriety -of this action the missionaries concur." The concurrence of the -missionaries in this view, viz., that they could not carry on the -schools with a change from the original basis to that of the new -law, may be seen clearly expressed in their correspondence with the -Secretary having charge of the Indian missions; particularly in the -following communications: From Messrs. Kingsbury and Byington, as the -committee of the mission, under dates of December 14 and 27, 1853; Mr. -Kingsbury, January 4, and April 25, 1854; Mr. C. C. Copeland, March -1, 1854; Mr. Stark, August 22, 1854; Mr. Edwards, July 13, 1854; Mr. -H. K. Copeland, May 16, 1854. See also letters from Mr. Chamberlain, -January 7, and June 20, 1854. In some of these, the declaration is -made, that, in the apprehension of the writers, the schools must be -relinquished, _if the law should not be repealed_; one specifying, as -justificatory reasons, the breach of contract made, and the increased -difficulty of obtaining teachers--reasons also assigned by others; -another stating that he "never could consent to take charge of a -school under such regulations;" a third testifying, not only for -himself, but for every other member of the mission, an unwillingness -to continue connection with the schools with subjection to the new -requirements; a fourth affirming his "feeling" to be "that a strong -remonstrance should be presented to the Council, and on the strength -of it let the mission lay down these schools;" which, he states, would -not involve "giving up the instruction of these children, but would be -simply changing the plan," inasmuch as, according to his and others' -understanding of the case, the new law not having application to other -than the national schools, "at every station it will be found an easy -matter to have as large, and in some cases even larger, than our -present boarding schools." - -In certain other communications, the view which the Committee adopted, -is exhibited, together with the opinion that it would be better to -wait for a movement on the part of the Choctaw authorities before -giving up the schools. See letters from Mr. Byington, December 26, -1853; January 3 and 12, April 15, 1854; Mr. Kingsbury, February 1 -and 21, 1854; Mr. Chamberlain, January 13, 1854; Mr. Stark, February -6, 1854. This view was also formally announced, as understood by the -Committee, in resolutions of the mission at its meeting in May, 1854, -embracing a recommendation of a course of procedure with the hope of -securing the repeal by the next Council of the obnoxious law. See -Minutes, and letters of Mr. C. C. Copeland, May 19, and June 9, 1854. -The Prudential Committee, in the exercise of their discretion, as -a principal party to the contract, preferred another method, viz., -to address the Council directly, and sent a letter, under date of -August 1, 1854, to one of the missionaries for presentation. The -missionary, with the advice of his brethren given at their meeting -in September, (intelligence of which was received at the Missionary -House, October 20, thirty-five days subsequent to the meeting of -the Board at Hartford,) withheld the letter, on the ground that, in -their judgment, its presentation would defeat the object at which it -aimed, and be "disastrous to the churches, to the Choctaws, and to the -best interests of the colored race." In respect to this action for -obtaining the repeal of the school law, there was a difference between -the mission and the Committee. The missionaries desired delay, and -the leaving of the matter to their management. The decision of the -Committee, approved by the Board, "not to conduct the boarding schools -in the Choctaw Nation in conformity with the principles prescribed by -the recent legislation of the Choctaw Council,"[A] was in agreement -with the previously and subsequently expressed sentiments of all the -missionaries; the objection felt by some of them to this resolution -being, not to the position which it assumes, but to the declaration of -it at that time by the Board. This being a determined question, its -settlement formed no part of the object for which the Deputation was -sent. - -[Footnote A: Resolution of the Board adopted at Hartford.] - -Two other questions, however, required careful examination; and on -these free conference was had with the brethren at their stations, and -in a meeting of the mission held at Good-water, April 25 and 26, Mr. -Edwards, who was absent from the mission, and Dr. Hobbs, not being -present: 1. The law remaining unrepealed, is it practicable to carry -on the schools while refusing conformity to the new "conditions, -limitations and restrictions" imposed by it? 2. If so, is it expedient -to do it? - -On the first of these questions, the opinion of the missionaries was -in the affirmative. No attempt has been made to carry out these new -provisions. The Trustees and General Superintendent have not given -the required bond. One of the Trustees informed me that he should not -give it, and that in his belief the law would remain a dead letter, -if not repealed, as it was his hope that it would be. The course of -the missionaries has been in no degree changed by it. The teaching of -slaves in these schools has never been practiced or contemplated. The -law was aimed at such teaching in their families and Sabbath schools. -So the missionaries and the people understand it. It is generally -known among the latter that the former are ready to give up these -schools, rather than retain them on condition of subjection to this -law. Our brethren are now carrying on the schools, and doing in all -other respects, just as they were before the new law was enacted; and -they have confidence that they may continue to do so. - -The second question was one of more uncertainty to my own mind, and -in the minds of some of the mission. The maintenance of these schools -is a work of great difficulty. In the opinion of several of the -missionaries, it was at least doubtful whether the cost in health, -perplexity, trouble in obtaining teachers, time which might be devoted -to preaching, and money, was not too great for the results; and it -was suggested that an opportunity, afforded by divine Providence for -relieving us from a burden too heavy to sustain for nine years longer, -should be embraced. See letters from Mr. Hotchkin, March 21, 1854; Mr. -H. K. Copeland, January 23, and July 27, 1854; Mr. Lansing, December -22, 1853, and May 13, 1854. The fact and manner of the suspension -of the school at Good-water, in 1853, were portentous of increasing -embarrassment from other causes than the new school law; and grave -objections exist to the connection with civil government of any -department of missionary operations. - -My observation of the schools, however, interested me much in their -behalf. They are doing a good work for the nation. Many of the pupils -become Christian wives, mothers and teachers. The people appreciate -them highly; and I was assured of a general desire that they should -remain in the hands of the mission, unsubjected to the inadmissible -new conditions of the recent legislation. In view of all the -relations, which after full consideration the subject seemed to have, -the following resolution, expressing the sentiment of the Deputation -and the mission, was cheerfully and unanimously adopted by the -mission; one of the older members, however, avowing some difficulty in -giving his assent to the latter part of it, viz: - - "_Resolved_, That while we should esteem it our duty to - relinquish the female boarding schools at Pine Ridge, - Wheelock and Stockbridge, rather than to carry them on - under the provisions and restrictions of the late school - law, yet regarding it as improbable that the requirement - so to do will be enforced, we deem it important, in the - present circumstances of the Choctaw Nation and mission, to - continue our connection with them _on the original basis_, - and carry them forward with new hope and energy." - -Our hope of being allowed to maintain these schools as heretofore, -and make them increasingly useful, may be disappointed. Neither the -Prudential Committee nor the mission wish to retain them, if they for -whose benefit alone they have been taken, prefer that we should give -them up. The relinquishment of them would be a release from a weight -of labor, anxiety and care, that nothing but our love for the Choctaws -could induce us longer to bear. Our desire is only to do them good. - -A second subject of conference, but the one first considered, was -the principles, particularly in relation to slavery, on which the -Prudential Committee, with the formally expressed approbation of the -Board, aim to conduct its missions. I found certain misapprehensions -existing in the minds of a portion of the mission in regard to the -origin and circumstances of the action of the Board at the last -annual meeting, which I was happy to correct. Several of the members, -including one of the two not present at this meeting of the mission, -have ever cordially approved the correspondence in which the views of -principles entertained by the Committee were stated. Others, being -with those just referred to a decided majority of the whole body as at -present constituted, have expressed their agreement with those views -as freely explained in personal intercourse, with an exhibition of -the intended meaning of his own written language, by the Secretary -who was the organ of the Committee in communicating them. Others have -supposed themselves to differ, in some degree, from these principles -when correctly apprehended. A full comparison of views, to their -mutual great satisfaction, showed much less difference than was -thought to exist between the members of the mission themselves, and -between a part of the mission and what the Deputation understands to -be the views of the Prudential Committee. A statement of principles -drawn up at Good-water, as being in the estimation of the Deputation -(distinctly and repeatedly so declared) those which the Committee had -set forth in their correspondence, particularly that had with the -mission in 1848, was unanimously adopted, as the brethren say, "for -the better and more harmonious prosecution of the great objects of -the Choctaw mission on the part of the Prudential Committee and the -members of the mission, and for the removal of any and all existing -difficulties which have grown out of public discussions and action on -the subject of slavery; it being understood that the sentiments now -approved are not in the estimation of the brethren of the mission new, -but such as for a long series of years have really been held by them." - -The statement is given, with the appended resolution, in the following -words: - - 1. Slavery, as a system, and in its own proper nature, is - what it is described to be, in the General Assembly's Act - of 1818, and the Report of the American Board adopted at - Brooklyn in 1845. - - 2. Privation of liberty in holding slaves is, therefore, - not to be ranked with things indifferent, but with - those which, if not made right by special justificatory - circumstances and the intention of the doer, are morally - wrong. - - 3. Those are to be admitted to the communion of the church, - of whom the missionary and (in Presbyterian churches) - his session have satisfactory evidence that they are in - fellowship with Christ. - - 4. The evidence, in one view of it, of fellowship with - Christ, is a manifested desire and aim to be conformed, in - all things, to the spirit and requirements of the word of - God. - - 5. Such desire and aim are to be looked for in reference - to slavery, slaveholding, and dealing with slaves, as in - regard to other matters; not less, not more. - - 6. The missionary must, under a solemn sense of - responsibility to Christ, act on his own judgment of that - evidence when obtained, and on the manner of obtaining - it. He is at liberty to pursue that course which he may - deem most discreet in eliciting views and feelings as to - slavery, as with respect to other things, right views and - feelings concerning which he seeks as evidence of Christian - character. - - 7. The missionary is responsible, not for correct views - and action on the part of his session and church members, - but only for an honest and proper endeavor to secure - correctness of views and action under the same obligations - and limitations on this subject as on others. He is to go - only to the extent of his rights and responsibilities as a - minister of Christ. - - 8. The missionary, in the exercise of a wise discretion - as to time, place, manner and amount of instruction, is - decidedly to discountenance indulgence in known sin and - the neglect of known duty, and so to instruct his hearers - that they may understand all Christian duty. With that - wisdom which is profitable to direct, he is to exhibit the - legitimate bearing of the gospel upon every moral evil, in - order to its removal in the most desirable way; and upon - slavery, as upon other moral evils. As a missionary, he - has nothing to do with political questions and agitations. - He is to deal alone, and as a Christian instructor and - pastor, with what is morally wrong, that the people of God - may separate themselves therefrom, and a right standard of - moral action be held up before the world. - - 9. While, as in war, there can be no shedding of blood - without sin somewhere attached, and yet the individual - soldier may not be guilty of it; so, while slavery is - always sinful, we cannot esteem every one who is legally a - slaveholder a wrong-doer for sustaining the legal relation. - When it is made unavoidable by the laws of the State, the - obligations of guardianship, or the demands of humanity, - it is not to be deemed an offence against the rule of - Christian right. Yet missionaries are carefully to guard, - and in the proper way to warn others to guard, against - unduly extending this plea of necessity or the good of the - slave, against making it a cover for the love and practice - of slavery, or a pretence for not using efforts that are - lawful and practicable to extinguish this evil. - - 10. Missionaries are to enjoin upon all masters and - servants obedience to the directions specially addressed to - them in the Holy Scriptures, and to explain and illustrate - the precepts containing them. - - 11. In the exercise of discipline in the churches, under - the same obligations and limitations as in regard to other - acts of wrong-doing, and which are recognized in the action - of ministers with reference to other matters in evangelical - churches where slavery does not exist, missionaries are - to set their faces against all overt acts in relation - to this subject, which are manifestly unchristian and - sinful; such as the treatment of slaves with inhumanity and - oppression; keeping from them the knowledge of God's holy - will; disregarding the sanctity of the marriage relation; - trifling with the affections of parents, and setting at - naught the claims of children on their natural protectors; - and regarding and treating human beings as articles of - merchandise. - - 12. For various reasons, we agree in the inexpediency of - our employing slave labor in other cases than those of - manifest necessity; it being understood that the objection - of the Prudential Committee to the employment of such labor - is to that extent only. - - 13. Agreeing thus in essential principles, missionaries - associated in the same field should exercise charity - towards each other, and have confidence in one another, in - respect to differences which, from diversity of judgment, - temperament, or other individual peculiarities, and from - difference of circumstances in which they are placed, may - arise among them in the practical carrying out of these - principles; and we think that this should be done by others - towards us as a missionary body. - - _Resolved_, That we agree in the foregoing as an expression - of our views concerning our relations and duties as - missionaries in regard to the subject treated of; and are - happy to believe that, having this agreement with what we - now understand to be the views of the Prudential Committee, - we may have their confidence, as they have ours, in the - continued prosecution together of the great work to which - the great Head of the church has called us among this - people. - -The statement thus approved was read throughout, and was afterwards -considered in detail, each member of the mission expressing his views -upon it as fully, and keeping it under consideration as long, as he -desired to do. After the assent given to it, article by article, on -the day following it was again read, and the question was taken upon -it as a whole, with the appended resolution, each of the eight members -giving his vote in favor of its adoption. It is perhaps proper also -to mention that no change by way of emendation, addition or omission -of phraseology was found necessary to make it such as any member of -the mission would be willing to accept. It should farther be stated, -that while the first article was under consideration, the act of the -General Assembly of the Presbyterian church, adopted in 1818, was -read, and its strongest expressions duly weighed. The document thus -considered and referred to, is herewith submitted as a part of this -report.[B] - -[Footnote B: "The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, having -taken into consideration the subject of slavery, think proper to make -known their sentiments upon it to the churches and people under their -care. We consider the voluntary enslaving of one part of the human -race by another, as a gross violation of the most precious and sacred -rights of human nature; as utterly inconsistent with the law of God, -which requires us to love our neighbor as ourselves, and as totally -irreconcilable with the spirit and principles of the gospel of Christ, -which enjoins that 'all things whatsoever ye would that men should do -to you, do ye even so to them.' Slavery creates a paradox in the moral -system; it exhibits rational, accountable and immortal beings in such -circumstances as scarcely to leave them the power of moral action. It -exhibits them as dependent on the will of others, whether they shall -receive religions instruction; whether they shall know and worship -the true God; whether they shall enjoy the ordinances of the Gospel; -whether they shall perform the duties and cherish the endearments -of husbands and wives, parents and children, neighbors and friends; -whether they shall preserve their chastity and purity, or regard the -dictates of justice and humanity. Such are some of the consequences -of slavery--consequences not imaginary, but which connect themselves -with its very existence. The evils to which the slave is always -exposed often take place in fact, and in their very worst degree and -form; and where all of them do not take place, as we rejoice to say in -many instances, through the influence of the principles of humanity -and religion on the mind of masters, they do not--still the slave is -deprived of his natural right, degraded as a human being, and exposed -to the danger of passing into the hands of a master who may inflict -upon him all the hardships and injuries which inhumanity and avarice -may suggest. - -"From this view of the consequences resulting from the practice into -which Christian people have most inconsistently fallen, of enslaving -a portion of their brethren of mankind--for 'God hath made of one -blood all nations of men to dwell on the face of the earth'--it is -manifestly the duty of all Christians who enjoy the light of the -present day, when the inconsistency of slavery, both with the dictates -of humanity and religion, has been demonstrated, and is generally -seen and acknowledged, to use their honest, earnest, and unwearied -endeavors to correct the errors of former times, and as speedily as -possible to efface this blot on our holy religion, and to obtain the -complete abolition of slavery throughout Christendom, and if possible -throughout the world. - -"We rejoice that the Church to which we belong commenced, as early -as any other in this country, the good work of endeavoring to put an -end to slavery, and that in the same work many of its members have -ever since been, and now are, among the most active, vigorous and -efficient laborers. We do, indeed, tenderly sympathize with those -portions of our Church and our country where the evil of slavery has -been entailed upon them; where a great, and the most virtuous part of -the community abhor slavery, and wish its extermination as sincerely -as any others--but where the number of slaves, their ignorance, and -their vicious habits generally, render an immediate and universal -emancipation inconsistent alike with the safety and happiness of the -master and the slave. With those who are thus circumstanced, we repeat -that we tenderly sympathize. At the same time we earnestly exhort them -to continue, and if possible to increase their exertions to effect a -total abolition of slavery. We exhort them to suffer no greater delay -to take place in this most interesting concern, than a regard to the -public welfare truly and indispensably demands. - -"As our country has inflicted a most grievous injury on the unhappy -Africans, by bringing them into slavery, we cannot indeed urge that -we should add a second injury to the first, by emancipating them in -such manner as that they will be likely to destroy themselves or -others. But we do think, that our country ought to be governed in this -matter by no other consideration than an honest and impartial regard -to the happiness of the injured party, uninfluenced by the expense or -inconvenience which such a regard may involve. We, therefore, warn all -who belong to our denomination of Christians against unduly extending -this plea of necessity; against making it a cover for the love and -practice of slavery, or a pretence for not using efforts that are -lawful and practicable, to extinguish this evil. - -"And we, at the same time, exhort others to forbear harsh censures, -and uncharitable reflections on their brethren, who unhappily live -among slaves whom they cannot immediately set free; but who, at -the same time, are really using all their influence, and all their -endeavors, to bring them into a state of freedom, as soon as a door -for it can be safely opened. - -"Having thus expressed our views of slavery, and of the duty -indispensably incumbent on all Christians to labor for its complete -extinction, we proceed to recommend--and we do it with all the -earnestness and solemnity which this momentous subject demands--a -particular attention to the following points. - -"We recommend to all our people to patronize and encourage the Society -lately formed for colonizing in Africa, the land of their ancestors, -the free people of color in our country. We hope that much good may -result from the plans and efforts of this Society. And while we -exceedingly rejoice to have witnessed its origin and organization -among the holders of slaves, as giving an unequivocal pledge of their -desires to deliver themselves and their country from the calamity of -slavery; we hope that those portions of the American union, whose -inhabitants are by a gracious Providence more favorably circumstanced, -will cordially, and liberally, and earnestly co-operate with their -brethren, in bringing about the great end contemplated. - -"We recommend to all the members of our religious denomination, not -only to permit, but to facilitate and encourage the instruction of -their slaves in the principles and duties of the Christian religion; -by granting them liberty to attend on the preaching of the gospel, -when they have opportunity; by favoring the instruction of them in the -Sabbath school, wherever those schools can be formed; and by giving -them all other proper advantages for acquiring a knowledge of their -duty both to God and to man. We are perfectly satisfied that it is -incumbent on all Christians to communicate religious instruction to -those who are under their authority; so that the doing of this in the -case before us, so far from operating, as some have apprehended that -it might, as an incitement to insubordination and insurrection, would, -on the contrary, operate as the most powerful means for the prevention -of those evils. - -"We enjoin it on all church sessions and presbyteries, under the -care of this Assembly, to discountenance, and as far as possible to -prevent all cruelty of whatever kind in the treatment of slaves; -especially the cruelty of separating husband and wife, parents and -children, and that which consists in selling slaves to those who will -either themselves deprive these unhappy people of the blessings of -the gospel, or who will transport them to places where the gospel is -not proclaimed, or where it is forbidden to slaves to attend upon its -institutions. And if it shall ever happen that a Christian professor -in our communion shall sell a slave who is also in communion and good -standing with our church, contrary to his or her will and inclination, -it ought immediately to claim the particular attention of the proper -church judicature; and unless there be such peculiar circumstances -attending the case as can but seldom happen, it ought to be followed, -without delay, by a suspension of the offender from all the privileges -of the church, till he repent, and make all the reparation in his -power to the injured party." See Assembly's Digest, pp. 274-8.] - -So also was adduced the abundant testimony contained in the Report of -the American Board adopted in 1845, as to what in its view slavery, -without qualification of place or time, and as it exists in the -United States and among the Indians, is: such as its classification -of slavery with war, polygamy, the castes of India, and other things -which it speaks of as "social and moral evils;" and such language as -the following: "The Committee do not deem it necessary to discuss the -general subject of slavery as it exists in these United States, or to -enlarge on the wickedness of the system, or on the disastrous moral -and social influences which slavery exerts upon the less enlightened -and less civilized communities where the missionaries of this Board -are laboring:" "The unrighteousness of the principles on which the -whole system is based, and the violation of the natural rights of -man, the debasement, wickedness and misery it involves, and which are -in fact witnessed to a greater or less extent wherever it exists, -must call forth the hearty condemnation of all possessed of Christian -feeling and sense of right, and make its removal an object of earnest -and prayerful desire to every friend of God and man:" "Strongly as -your committee are convinced of the wrongfulness and evil tendencies -of slaveholding, and ardently as they desire its speedy and universal -termination, still they cannot think that in all cases it involves -individual guilt in such a manner that every person implicated in it -can, on scriptural grounds, be excluded from Christian fellowship. In -the language of Dr. Chalmers, 'Distinction ought to be made between -the character of a _system_, and the character of the persons whom -circumstances have implicated therewith; nor would it always be just, -if all the recoil and horror wherewith the former is contemplated, -were visited in the form of condemnation and moral indignancy upon the -latter. Slavery we hold to be a _system_ chargeable with atrocities -and evils, often the most hideous and appalling which have either -afflicted or deformed our species; yet we must not, therefore, say of -every man born within its territory, who has grown up familiar with -its sickening spectacles, and not only by his habits been inured -to its transactions and sights, but who by inheritance is himself -the owner of slaves, that unless he make the resolute sacrifice, and -renounce his property in slaves, he is, therefore, not a Christian, -and should be treated as an outcast from all the distinctions -and privileges of Christian society.'" And the language (quoted -approvingly) unanimously uttered by the General Assembly of the Free -Church of Scotland: "Without being prepared to adopt the principle -that, in the circumstances in which they are placed, the churches in -America ought to consider slaveholding _per se_ an insuperable barrier -in the way of enjoying Christian privileges, or an offence to be -visited with excommunication, all must agree in holding that whatever -rights the civil law of the land may give a master over his slaves -as _chattels personal_, it cannot be but sin of the deepest dye to -regard and treat them as such; and whosoever commits that sin in any -sense, or deals otherwise than as a Christian man ought to deal with -his fellow-man, whatever power the law may give him over them, ought -to be held disqualified for Christian communion. Farther, it must be -the opinion of all, that it is the duty of Christians, when they find -themselves unhappily in the predicament of slaveholders, to aim, as -far as it may be practicable, at the manumission of their slaves; and -when that cannot be accomplished, to secure them in the enjoyment of -the domestic relations, and of the means of religious training and -education." - -All this, and more, was immediately before the minds of the members -of the mission, and with so much of the connection as to give the -true sense, when they declared that slavery is what, in the documents -referred to, it is described to be, and made their own the statement -of principles above given, as those on which, as missionaries, they -should deal with this subject in the circumstances of their field of -labor, and when it is to them a practical missionary question. - -The Cherokee mission in session at Park Hill, May 9, adopted a -resolution of concurrence with the Choctaw mission in approving this -statement. - -Excluding two churches then connected with the mission of the Board, -and since transferred to another mission, there were in 1848, under -the care of the American Board, in the Choctaw Nation, six churches -with a total membership of 536 persons, of whom 25 were slaveholders, -and 64 were slaves. The churches are now 11 in number, containing -1,094 members; of whom, as nearly as I could ascertain, 20 are -slaveholders, (some of them being husband and wife, and generally -having but one or two slaves each,) and 60 are slaves. Six of the -churches have no slaveholder in them; two have but one each. Of the -slaveholders in these churches, four have been admitted since 1848; -one by transfer from another denomination, and three on profession -of their faith; none of the latter having been received since -1850. Statements were made to me respecting each of these latter -cases, which show that the principles assented to by the mission at -Good-water, as above presented, were practically carried out in regard -to them. - -In the Cherokee mission, in 1848, there were five churches, having -237 members, of whom 24 were slaveholders, and 23 were slaves. In the -five churches now in that mission, there are 207 members, of whom 17 -(there is uncertainty in regard to one of this number) are reported -as slaveholders. Three have been admitted since 1848 on profession of -their faith, and two by letter; one of the latter from a church in New -Hampshire. Of these the same remark may be made as above in respect to -similar cases among the Choctaws. - -The Choctaw mission embraces eleven families and three large boarding -schools. Five slaves, hired at their own desire, are in the employment -of the missionaries. A less number are employed in the Cherokee -mission. Gladly would the missionaries dispense with these, could the -necessary amount of free labor for domestic service be obtained. Those -who employ this slave labor, allege that it is to them a matter of -painful necessity. They are known to resort to it unwillingly, and are -not regarded as thereby giving their sanction to slavery. Some thus -employed have been brought to a saving knowledge of divine truth. - -The sentiments of these two missions as to the moral character of -slavery, and the principles on which they should act with regard to -it, are frankly and unequivocally avowed. We are bound to believe -them honest in the expression of these sentiments. It is their -expectation that the principles thus acknowledged as their own will -be those on which the missions will be conducted. The adjudication of -particular cases must be left to the missionary. That it be so left, -is his right; it is also unavoidable. The position of the missionaries -is one of great difficulty, and should be appreciated. That there -is such a diversity of judgment among them as men of independent -thought and differing mental characteristics, who agree in essential -principles, everywhere evince; and that they have, through a use of -phraseology leading sometimes to a mutual misunderstanding of each -other's views, supposed themselves to differ more widely than, in our -conferences, they found themselves really to do, has been intimated. -That none of them have sympathy with slavery; that, on the other hand, -their influence is directly and strongly adverse to its continuance, -while they are doing much in mitigation of its evils and to bless -both master and slave, in the judgment of the Deputation, is beyond -a doubt. By many they are denounced as abolitionists. Some of their -slave-holding church members have left their churches for another -connection on this account. Others have disconnected themselves from -a system which they have learned to dislike and disapprove. Strong in -the confidence and affection of many for whose salvation they have -toiled and suffered, by the supporters of slavery, in and out of the -nations, they undoubtedly are looked upon with growing suspicion. -Surely we should not be willing needlessly to embarrass them in their -blessed work. They are worthy of the confidence and warmest sympathy -of every friend of the red man and of the black man. God is with them. -In the Cherokee mission, the dispensation of his grace is not, indeed, -now as in times past; and we have some seriousness of apprehension -in regard to the progress of the gospel among that people. Still the -divine presence is not wanting. Among the Choctaws rapid advance is -making. Converts are multiplying; the fruits of the gospel abound. -Both missions need reinforcement. Men filled with the spirit of -Christ, able to endure hardness, of practical wisdom, which knows how -to do good, and not to do only harm when good is meant, men of faith, -energy, meekness and prayer, who will commend themselves to every -man's conscience in the sight of God as his servants, are required. -It gave me pleasure to assure the missions of the strong desire of -the Prudential Committee, and of my future personal endeavors, to -obtain such men for them. No philanthropist can behold the change -which has been wrought for these lately pagan, savage tribes, now -orderly christianized communities, advancing in civilization, to -take ere long, if they go on in their course, their place with those -whose Christian civilization is the growth of many centuries, without -admiration and delight. But there is much yet to be done for them. -"This nation," says the Choctaw mission in a published letter, "in -its improvements, schools, churches, and public spirit pertaining -to the great cause of benevolence, is but an _infant_." We must not -expect too much from these churches in which we glory. Much fostering -and training do they yet need; and there are many souls yet to be -enlightened and saved. Wonderful as are the renovation and elevation -which the gospel, taught in its simplicity by faithful men, has -already given to these communities, our only hope for them, and for -the colored race in the midst of them, is in the continued application -of the same power through the same instrumentality. - -It was the privilege of the Deputation to spend a part of three days, -including a Sabbath, at Spencer Academy, an institution containing -one hundred male pupils, excellently managed under the charge of the -Board of the General Assembly; and to attend there a "big meeting," -or a camp meeting, at which several hundreds were present. My -intercourse with brethren at that station, and the scenes in which -I there mingled; the fellowship in Christ with the heralds of his -cross, some of them bowed with the weight of many years of wearing -toil and affliction, and hastening to their glorious crown already -won by honored names, no longer with them, of our own mission; and -the interchange of sympathy with the disciples of Christ, whom God -has given them as the fruit of their labor, will ever live among the -pleasantest recollections of my life. I am constrained to repeat -my testimony to the fraternal and Christian spirit with which the -brethren met my endeavors to remove difficulties, strengthen the -ties that bind them and the Board together, and clear the way for -harmonious and more energetic prosecution of the great work in which -we are associated. To a good degree this object, we may hope, has -been gained. To Him, whose is their work and ours, and to whom the -interests involved are infinitely more precious than to any of us who -are connected with them, we commit the future keeping of this great -trust. - -It is due to the Choctaw mission that I communicate to the Committee -the following resolution, presented by the Rev. Mr. Byington, and -adopted by the mission at the close of its meeting at Good-water: - - "_Resolved_, That the cordial thanks of the members of - the mission be presented to the Rev. Geo. W. Wood, the - Secretary of the A. B. C. F. M., who is with us as a - Deputation from the Prudential Committee, for his kind, - wise and successful efforts in our mission to remove the - weight of anxiety which has long pressed down our hearts - in connection with the subject of slavery. We now rejoice - much in this mutual and kind interchange of thoughts and - affections. We would pray for grace ever to walk in the - path of life, and that blessings may attend him, while with - us and on his way home, his family and brethren during his - absence, as well as our mission and the American Board and - all its officers. With peculiar sincerity of heart and - gratitude to our Savior, we present to him this token of - regard for our dear brother, and make this record of divine - mercy toward our mission." - - All which is respectfully submitted, - - GEO. W. WOOD. - -_Rooms of the A. B. C. F. M., New York, June_ 13, 1855. - -This communication of the Prudential Committee was referred to a -special committee, consisting of Dr. Beman, Dr. Thomas De Witt, Dr. -Hawes, Chief Justice Williams, Doct. Lyndon A. Smith, Dr. J. A. -Stearns, and Hon. Linus Child, who subsequently made the following -report: - - Your committee have endeavored to look at this paper in - its intrinsic character and practical bearings, and they - are happy to state their unanimous conviction, that this - visit will mark an auspicious era in the history of these - missions. The report of Mr. Wood is characterized by great - clearness and precision; and it presents the whole matters - pending between the Prudential Committee and these missions - fully before us. The conferences of the Deputation with - the missionaries appear to have been conducted in a truly - Christian spirit; and the results which are set forth in - the resolutions, adopted with much deliberation and after - full discussion, are such as we may all hail with Christian - gratitude. - - It is the opinion of your committee that the great end - which has been aimed at by the Prudential Committee in - their correspondence with these missions, for several years - past, and by the Board in their resolutions adopted at the - last annual meeting, has been substantially accomplished. - While your committee admit that there may be some - incidental points on which an honest diversity of opinion - may exist, yet they fully believe that this adjustment - should be deemed satisfactory, and that further agitation - is not called for. While your committee cannot take it - upon themselves to predict what new developments, calling - for new action hereafter, _may_ take place, they are - unanimously of the opinion that the Prudential Committee, - and these laborious and efficient missionaries on this - field of Christian effort, may go forward, on the basis - adopted, in perfect harmony in the prosecution of their - future work. - - Your committee feel that the thanks of this Board are due - to Mr. Wood and our missionary brethren, for the manner - in which they have met, considered, and adjusted these - difficult matters which have been long in debate; and at - the same time they would not forget that God is the source - of all true light in our deepest darkness, and that to him - _all the glory is ever due_. - -The foregoing report of the select committee was adopted by the Board. - - - * * * * * - - -Transcriber's Notes - - -The footnote locations and anchor symbols have been changed from the -original document. - - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Report of Mr. Wood's Visit to the -Choctaw and Cherokee Missions. 1855, by George W. 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