USA > South Carolina > History of the Presbyterian Church in South Carolina, Vol. II pt 2 > Part 6
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respecting the reasons for his removing to Martyn, rather than Mr. Stuart : " Here about ninety commune on sacramental occasions, and at Martyn only ten-here near two hundred compose the congregation on the Sabbath, and frequently the assembly is so large that we have to preach in the open air, whilst at Martyn fifty is the largest number of hearers. This now has assumed the aspect of a Christian settlement, and the Lord appears to prosper everything undertaken for His glory. In our humble honse of worship we are often cheered with the reflec- tion that this and that man were born here.'" I shall resume this subject in my next. For the present, adieu !
T. C. STUART.
(For the Southern Presbyterian.) INDIAN MISSIONS OF THE SYNOD OF SOUTH CAROLINA AND GEORGIA.
LETTER III.
PONTOTOC, MISS., July 1, 1861.
DEAR BROTHER : In my last, I referred to a revival of religion in onr Church and congregation, which commenced in the spring of 1827 It is proper I should say, the Rev Cyrus Byington, of the Choctaw Mis- sion, was the honored instrument in the hand of God of this good work. At that time a revival was in progress at Mayhew, Bro. Byington, being much revived himself, and his heart warm in the cause, visited our station, and labored sometime among our people. I have a distinct recollection of the time and the circumstances, of the first favorable indications. He preached at Monroe in the forenoon to a large congre- gation, when it was evident the Spirit of God moved upon the hearts of the people. In the afternoon he preached at the house of a widow woman, six miles north, where deep and lasting impressions were made, and it became manifest God was in our midst. Under the ordi- nary means of grace, the good work continued between two and three years. So far from adopting any measures calculated to produce excite- ment, we were careful to keep it down. Our people needed instruction in the first principles of religion, and for this purpose we appointed inquiry meetings every Saturday night, which were well attended. Frequently between twenty and thirty were present, and some from a distance of ten and twelve miles. In these services Brother Holmes rendered very essential aid. As the fruit of this gracious visitation, a goodly number of precio's souls were brought into the kingdom of Christ, some of whom are vet living and walking in the good way ; some have died in faith and gone to their reward ; and some, we fear, have drawn back unto perdition. There were some distressing cases of apostacy.
I have in my mind one case of a more singular and unaccountable character than any I have ever known. This was the first subject of the revival, a white man, with an Indian family, living about half-way between Tockshish and Monroe, who had been notorious for intemper- ance and profanity. By referring to the session book, I find he was admitted to the Church on the 23d of June, 1827. His evidences of a change of heart were better than usual, and his piety was of no ordi- nary character. He became a praying man, worshipped God regularly
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his family and in secret, was always present at our public services, nless providentially hindered, and led in prayer in a devout and lifying manner, whenever called on in our prayer-meetings. He was onsidered a miracle of grace and a model of piety. No one doubted is religion. But alas ! for poor human nature ! this man fell. It has een said that the great adversary has a lien on old drunkards. This eemed to be true in his case, for during the whole of his subsequent fe he frequently fell into his easily besetting sin. As early as October ), 1827, he was cited to appear before the session for the crime of temperance. He manifested so much sorrow of heart and such deep ontrition that we felt constrained to make the following entry : Hoping that he has been enabled to repent of his fall with deep con- ition of soul, and that he has obtained forgiveness from God, we feel our duty and our privilege to recognize him as a disciple of Jesus hrist, and therefore ought not to be excluded from the privileges of is Church." For a long series of years he lived a consistent life, and ir hopes of him were greatly strengthened, but after the treaty of 334, when the whites began to come in in great numbers and the buntry was flooded with whiskey, he could not resist the temptation, hd again fell into his old habits of intemperance and profanity. In is he continued until he removed to the West in 1837, but again formed and joined the Methodist Church. Finally, in the summer 1857, while I resided at Fort Smith, Arkansas, he died alone, after a ng spell of hard drinking, and what may now be his destiny is known ily to God. This instance of apostacy has puzzled and distressed me ore than any that ever came under my observation Our Methodist. rethren, I know, could dispose of the case withont difficulty-he fell om grace and was lost. That he is lost I very much fear, but that he Il from grace I never shall believe. In the language of Doctor Alex- der, " there are few truths of which I have a more unwavering con- ction, than that the sheep of Christ, for whom He laid down His life, all never perish." "Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest e fall."
The introduction of ardent spirits in great quantities proved very sastrous to the spiritual interests of many of our Church members, specially the natives, whose fondness for the article is proverbial all er the world. During a residence of seventeen years among them, I new but one man who would neither drink whiskey nor smoke the pe. It is cause of thankfulness that so many did stand firm in the idst of temptation and in the face of much opposition. On the 16th September, 1837, twenty-five received letters of dismission as mem- ers in good standing. Many went away without letters who were ititled to them.
As to what the Chickasaw Mission accomplished, this cannot be hown until the judgment day. I often feel ashamed and deeply umbled that so little was accomplished. Had I been faithful, and tive, and zealous, doubtless much more might have been done; yet would be wrong not to render thanks to God that he was pleased to ve any degree of success to the means employed. A large number youth of both sexes were educated ; much useful instruction was pumunicated ; and a foundation laid for a degree of civilization and finement which never conld have been attained without it. In my ext I shall speak of their present condition in the West, which will chibit the improvements they have made in the various arts of civil- ed life. But to form a correct estimate of what has been effected, we
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must solve the mathematical problem, "what shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul ? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul ?" We must calculate the value of one immortal soul, "the redemption of which is precious, and it ceaseth forever." It would be great arrogance and presumption in me to attempt to state the number who may have been redeemed from heath- enism, and savingly enlightened by the Spirit of God; but that a goodly number have been saved through the preaching of the Gospel, and are now among the redeemed in heaven, I never shall doubt. Add to this, the amount of good effected through their instrumentality. The Gospel, the Saviour tells us, " is like leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal. till the whole was leavened." This leaven is still at work. Some years since, I visited the Chickasaws in their new home, and found a few of my old church members still living, and walking by faith. Who can estimate the benefits resulting from their consistent lives during a period of more than twenty years? Their influence will extend to the end of time. The Chickasaw Mission cost, in round numbers, twenty thousand dollars, besides a number of years of hard, gratuitous labor on the part of those engaged in it. I will venture to say that neither we, who bore the burden and heat of the
day, nor the Christian community who kindly supported us, now regret the expenditure. If I may be allowed to express my own feelings, I would render thanks to God, that He counted mne worthy to be em- ployed in such a blessed work. And I am confident no friend of the Redeemer will ever regret, either in time or in eternity, any sacrifices made for the promotion of His glory. Every Christian, both in South Carolina and in Georgia, who contributed to the support of this mission, was instrumental in bringing about the results. whatever they may be. And how transporting the thought of meeting those in the bright world above, who were brought there through our instrumentality. Let Chris- tians, then, of every name, be stimulated and encouraged to go forward in this good work. Let them contribute of their means according as God hath prospered them, and they will not fail to receive their reward. Fraternally, yours, T. C. STUART.
(For The Southern Presbyterian.) INDIAN MISSIONS OF THE SYNOD OF SOUTH CAROLINA AND GEORGIA,
LETTER IV.
PONTOTOC, MISS, July 8, 1861.
DEAR BROTHIER: In my last I incidentally referred to a visit to the Chickasaws. That visit was made in the summer of 1856, my daughter accompanying me. I shall always regret I did not go a few years sooner. I should then have found many of my old neighbors, and friends, and church-members who had been called away. In the journey through the Choctaw Nation, we passed the lonely grave of William H. Barr's mother. She was baptized by the name of Catharine, and ever after- wards was called aunt Kitty. Her Indian name signified "There is none such," and this seemed to be prophetic of her real character after she became a Christian. She spent much of her time in my family, and I will say I never knew a more devoted Christian. She spoke no
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English, and understood but little. Having a few elementary books in he Indian language, prepared by the Choctaw missionaries, I taught er to read. She took great delight in reading the Scriptures, although he could have access to only a small portion of them which had been ranslated into her own language. Her only daughter died in the eighborhood of Fort Smith, leaving a family of small children. Con- rary to the remonstrances of her friends, she set out to visit these hildren, that she might take them to her own home; accompanied by little grandson. On the way she took sick at a Chocktaw cabin, lay bout two weeks, and yielded up her spirit, I doubt not into the hands fher Redeemer, and I love to think of her now as a happy soul in the ingdom of eternal glory. Her daughter was hopefully pious. But the ember of her family to whom I referred in my first letter, is a son ho is yet living, His name is James Gamble-named and supported think, by a society of ladies in Rocky-River congregation He was ducated in part at Monroe, and finished his education at Mesopotamia, labama. He is now decidedly the great man of his nation-is a enator in their legislature-is national interpreter and translator, and their commissioner to Washington city to transact their business with he Federal Government. He writes a fair hand, a sensible, business- ke letter. The only ornaments I have on my parlor mantel are his keness and one of John C. Calhoun. In short, he is to-day a standing efutation of the oft-repeated slander that an Indian cannot be civilized. le lacks but the one thing needful to make him everything I could ish. And I believe it is not saying too much to affirm that if the Chickasaw Mission had accomplished nothing more than the salvation faunt Kitty's family, it was labor, and time, and money well spent. Ier oldest son never heard the Gospel. Soon after my arrival at Mon- De, I had occasion one morning early to go to the agency on business. In the way I was startled by a sudden outcry and bitter lamentation ear my path. I turned aside and on going to the spot found a group f mourners standing around his lifeless corpse. He had been thrown om his horse the night before, probably in a state of intoxication, and Iddenly killed. She never mentioned his name or referred to im in any way, it being contrary to their custom ever to speak of the ead.
Although it is a subject of regret that I did not visit them sooner, yet. shall always be thankful that it was so ordered in the good providence f God that I could visit them at the time I did. It was, on many ccounts, an exceedingly pleasant visit, yet not unmingled with some d reflections. Many with whom I had taken sweet counsel in years ing since passed away, and with whom I had gone to the house of God, ere no more among the living. Some to whom I had often preached e Gospel, whom I have warned to flee from the wrath to come, and shorted to make their peace with God, were still living in sin, and me of this class had gone to their last account without giving any vidence of repentance. A few only of my old church members were still ngering about these mortal shores, and, to my great comfort, were Maintaining a godly walk and conversation, giving good evidence of leing decided followers of the Saviour.
I spent just one month in the country, and travelled extensively nong the people. I found them contented and happy. For several ears after they emigrated they were very much dissatisfied. Sickness evailed among them and many of their old people died. Although te latitude is about the same as this country, yet they think the cli-
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inate is a good deal colder, and they are sometimes visited with those " northiers" which are such a terror to the Texans. Perhaps the openness of their country, the proximity of the mountains, and the superabundance of rocks, may have some influence on the climate.
I was delighted at the advances made in civilization which were everyway apparent. There being very little game in the country, they have abandoned the chase, and now rely on the cultivation of the soil and the raising of stock for a subsistence. They build good houses of hewed logs, and having a great abundance of the very best stone for building purposes, it is a rare thing to see a dwelling without a good stone chimney. There is an appearance of comfort and thrift not com- mon among Indians. They have abolished the office of chiefs and councils for the government of the people, and have organized a regular State Government, with a written constitution, after the model of our sovereign States. It was my good fortune to be present at the meeting of their first legislature, and the election and inauguration of their first governor. There being three candidates before the people, and no one receiving a constitutional majority, the election devolved upon the legislature. In all their elections they vote riva voce, each one calling out his favorite candidate. There were but thirty votes cast, the legislature consisting of twelve senators and eighteen representa- tives. Of these Harris, the successful candidate, received seventeen votes. He and six of the Senators were educated at Monroe, the speaker of the house was educated at Martyn, and one who bears the revered name of Archibald Alexander, was educated at Caney Creek. The business of both houses and all the speeches were in the native language. But little was done during the few first days of the session ; the various committees being out preparing business for future action. In taking the vote of any bill brought before them, the mem- bers are required to hold up their right hands. Their pay is three dol- lars a day ; governor's salary $750 per annum ; attorney-general, $600 ; Judges of the Supreme Court, 8600 ; Circuit Courts, $400. Their govern- ment is supported by the interest of their money in the hands of the Federal Government. But the Government at Washington refused to pay the instalment that fell due last winter, alleging as a reason, that they might employ it against them. His fears were not unfounded, as appears by the proclamation of Gov. Harris, which I send you
For many years the Chickasaws formed an integral part of the Chor- taw nation. With this arrangement they were always dissatisfied, and in 1855 they effected a separation. I have now before me a treaty, " made and concluded in the city of Washington, on the 22d day of June, 1855, by commsssioners of the high contracting parties, by which a district for the Chickasaws is established, bounded as follows." By the eighth article of this treaty the Chickasaws agreed to pay the Choc- taws for the privilege of governing themselves in their own way, "in such manner as their national council shall direct, out of the national funds of the Chickasaws, held in trust by the United States, the sum of $150,000."
At the same time the United States leased for an indefinite term of years "all that portion of their common territory west of the 98th degree of west longitude for which they agreed to pay the Choctaws $600,000 and the Chickasaws $200,000 " In the end the Chickasaws were gainers to the amount of $50,000 by the arrangement.
I may mention as another evidence of their improvement, the change
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n their dress. They have almost universally laid aside the Indian costume, and assumed, at least in part, the white man's dress Among he largest number collected on the occasion, I saw but two clad in the old Indian style. These are called subbees, in a way of dension, just as certain class amongst us are called " old fogies."
Being about to take my leave, the Senate suspended business and sked me " to make them a talk." With James Gamble for interpreter, gave them a few words of parting advice and left them, probably to ee them no more upon earth.
Yours, &c.
T. C. STUART.
For the Southern Presbyterian. NDIAN MISSIONS OF THE SYNOD OF SOUTH CAROLINA AND GEORGIA.
LETTER V.
PONTOTOC, MISSISSIPPI, July 15, 1861.
Dear Brother :- I have felt for a while past that I have a little too much o do. I am one of several agents appointed for the county to solicit sub- criptions to the Confederate loan.
Could I recall twenty years of my life, I would certainly be in camp, prepared to defend my country's rights with my blood. But this is im- ossible, and the only method by which I can serve her is by personal xertions and contributions to support the war in which she is engaged nd in which I have an abiding confidence she will be victorious. I nd the labor of preparing these sketches a little more than I antici- ated. I have a great reluctance both to the physical and mental ope- ation they require. I may find it necessary to avail myself of the rivilege you allow me in your last letter : "Rest awhile and try it gain "
Although in my last I took leave of the Chickasaw legislature, I wish ow to return to Tishomingo city, the seat of government. This was he name of a venerable old chief who was present at our council in 320, and signed our articles of agreement. His office was that of chief peaker, and his name signifies " king's servant " It was well for the hickasaws to cherish and perpetuate his memory by giving his name the capital of their new government.
The Chickasaws now number about six thousand souls, showing a reat increase since I came amongst them. The annuity that was paid hem in the early part of 1821 had been due since 1819 In the enumer- tion none were counted but those who were then living, and the num- er was 3,447. The amount paid them was $35,000 annually. This was i consideration of lands ceded to the United States in 1816 and 1818, mounting to $32,000 per annum, for twenty years, to which was added n annuity in perpetuity (or in the Indian dialect "as long as grass rows and water runs ") of $3,000 fixed upon them by General Wash- igton. I have a copy of all the treaties ever made with the Chicka- Aws except the last The first was " coneluded at Hopewell, Keowee, n the 10th January, 1786, between Benj. Hawkins, Andrew Pickens id Jos. Martin, Commissioners Plenipotentiary of the United States. i the one part, and Piomingo, head warrior and first minister of the hickasaws ; Mingotushka and Lotopoia, first beloved men, Commis-
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sioners Plenipotentiary of all the Chickasaws, of the other part." This was simply a treaty of peace, amity and protection on the part of the United States, and of allegiance on their part. The third article defines the boundaries of their territory, as follows, viz: " Beginning on the ridge that divides the waters running into the Cumberland from those running into the Tennessee river ; thence running westerly along the said ridge till it shall strike the Ohio ; thence down the Southern banks thereof to the Mississippi ; and thence down the same to the Choctaw line." They then owned a country two hundred and fifty miles square. And in addition to this they had ten miles square, on the eastern bank of Savannah river opposite Augusta, which was given them by General Oglethorpe in consideration of services rendered the British Govern- ment .* A few families removed and settled on it, and some of their men were with the Americans at the siege of Savannah When I first came to this country I knew an old woman who was born there. Angusta was then their trading post. I have seen men who made the trip, which required three and four months. Being at war with the Creeks they were obliged to go a great distance round, and cross the Tennessee river twice. Notwithstanding the great distance and the difficulty of access, they exchanged their furs and skins for New Eng- land rum, packed it on their ponies and sold it here for five dollars a bottle. Having no currency, they traded altogether in furs, skins and buffalo robes, in which their country abounded, and for which they received two shillings ( English currency ) per pound.
The next treaty was made in October, 1801, by General Pickens and others, at Chickasaw Bluff, now Memphis, Tennessee, at which time the privilege of opening the Natchez trace was granted, for which the United States paid them seven hundred dollars in goods. This road was for many years a source of great benefit to them, from the number of travelers who thronged it every year.
Yours, as ever, T. C. STUART.
(For The Southern Presbyterian.)
INDIAN MISSIONS OF THE SYNOD OF SOUTH CAROLINA AND GEORGIA.
LETTER VI.
PONTOTOC, MISS., August 31, 1861.
DEAR BROTHER : I have yet said nothing about the arrangements of the Chickasaws for the education of the rising generation. The most intelligent among them have long since been convinced they must become a civilized and enlightened people, and take their place among the family of nations, or become extinct, and hence for years past they have been making laudable exertions to educate their people. On this subject, however, I am not as well informed as Brother Wilson, who has but lately returned from that country, after laboring several years among them, and who, I hope, will relieve me of this task. I can only say, I fear all their educational arrangements will be broken up and their efforts paralyzed by the Lincoln Government, in withholding the funds justly due them for the fine lands they ceded in North Mississippi.
* This accounts for the Indian names which I understand some of the creeks still bear.
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Having accomplished the particular object of my visit to the Chicka- saws, we took leave of our friends at Boggy depot, and set out on our return home on the 12th day of October. You remember a little child, about four months old, whom we saw wallowing on a bear-skin at the house of Malcolin McGee, in 1820. That child was the mother of the family where we stayed, and, if now living, would be a grand-mother. We were pained to learn that she died in one week after we left her house. On our way we passed Bennington, Goodland, Pineridge, Wheelock, Stockbridge, or Mountain Fork, missionary stations among the Choctaws, spending a night at each place, except Wheelock. Here we had intended spending the Sabbath, but arriving there the middle of the afternoon, and learning that the brethren Byington and Edwards were holding a " big meeting," on Mountain Fork, fourteen miles dis- tant, we pushed on and reached the neighborhood a little after dark. An account of this meeting will no doubt be interesting to you. It was a sort of camp-ineeting, held for the benefit of those members who live too inconvenient to attend services regularly at the station. We arrived early in the morning and found them at breakfast. Soon after a horn was sounded, and a congregation, consisting of one hundred and fifty or two hundred persons, assembled for prayer-meeting, in which several members of the Church led in prayer in their own language. An hour and a half was spent in these services, which all seemed to enjoy, when they were dismissed. and after a short interval again assembled for public worship. By this time the congregation was considerably enlarged by arrivals from the surrounding country. The whole scene bore the aspect of a Christian community. Brother Byington preached in the native language, which he speaks fluently. I followed, with the aid of an interpreter, and Brother Edwards closed with a written dis- course, both in English and Choctaw. The communion was adminis- tered immediately after dinner, followed by another discourse from Brother Edwards. I may mention here, a moveable seat from Brother Byington's little missionary wagon, with a buffalo skin spread over it. served both for pulpit and communion table. The services were closed by the baptism of a number of the children of believers. To mne it was an exceedingly interesting and, I trust, profitable day. I was truck with the order and decorum of the worshippers, as well as their patient and respectful attention to the word preached. Although early the whole day was spent in religious services, there was no batement in the interest manifested, nor any langor or weariness observed. Even the little boys and girls set an example worthy of mitation by their white brothers and sisters. By reference to the minutes of the Assembly for 1860, it will be seen that the Mountain ork Church contains 150 members; and all the Churches in Indian Presbytery, including Wapanucka, contain 1,768. In view of all this, hay we not exclaim, " What hath God wrought ! He has blessed, in a emarkable manner, the labors of His faithful servants among that eople, and given them many souls as seals to their ministry, who shall oubtless be stars in their crown of rejoicing in the day of the Lord esus. Yours, T. C. STUART.
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