My parents and friends kindly reciprocate your affectionate remembrance. The chain of affection to which you allude, resembles almost all others of an earthly nature. They are most conspicuous for their broken links; but there is consolation in the thought, that every link which is of real value, will be reunited in a holier sphere, forming one long, bright, immortal chain, binding us to the throne of the Eternal. This reflection cheers me, as I become daily more impressed with the inconstancy of sublunary joys."

To the friend who had been her first coadjutor in this enterprise, Mrs. President Allen, but who was providentially removed to a distant part of the country, she writes

"NORWICH, Aug. 13, 1831.

"I must tell you what abundant cause we have for gratitude in reference to our mission, (I must still include you.) It is just one year since we commenced our labors, in that kitchen, under embarrassments which your memory will readily recall. Now, they have a chapel, a stated ministry, and the means for its support! One hundred dollars have been appropriated by the Domestic Missionary Society towards aiding them; which, with other contributions, enable us to answer the very moderate demands of Mr. W., who, with his wife, is highly calculated to be useful there.

It

"Now, my dear friend, why should we not come before God with confidence, and implore that gift, which, of all others, he is most pleased to bestow? the Holy Spirit; without which every other blessing will become a curse. is especially needed in this case, for the unfriendly whites. are continually exciting the Indians to suspicion — instilling into their minds the idea that our efforts are only a speculation, and that all the expense is derived from their own pittance. On my return, I found that these surmises had gained influence, and diminished the congregation ; but appearances are more favorable now. For so limited a field, it is an extremely difficult one to occupy. Untiring

labors, I have no doubt, will, eventually, be crowned with success. Surely we have reason to take courage from what God has already done for them. Do pray much for the Holy Spirit."

Miss Huntington, with the countenance of several of her Christian friends among whom was the lady addressed in the last letter had also a plan for the benefit of a remnant of the Pequod tribe of Indians.

From the extracts which follow, it appears that she had the satisfaction of seeing an advance of the importance of the Mohegan enterprise in the minds of others." Your interesting communication was particularly acceptable, and I thank you for commencing the correspondence. In the little interview which we enjoyed, I felt a peculiar sympathy with you, which has been heightened by bearing you upon my heart, as I have since done, before God. You cannot tell how much satisfaction it gives me to reflect, that in that spot, where once I could scarcely find one who would feel with me for the poor Indians, there are now those who love to devise plans for the benefit of that once degraded community. Your plan I highly approve, and shall rejoice to aid in its accomplishment; and I think it will be well to have it put in operation without any delay.

"I have just been perusing, in my closet, the 6th chapter of Galatians, to the 9th verse of which I would refer you and all who labor at Mohegan. Should your plan succeed, I will try to visit you some day when you are assembled. In accomplishing objects of this kind, I have usually found them to succeed better if I undertake them with an expectation of success in my own mind, and an apparent courage in the view of others. Earnestness and confidence go a great way in gaining the coöperation of friends; and when exercised in dependence upon God, and gentleness towards our fellow-beings, is perfectly right. Excuse my liberty in giving advice. I know you were sincere in asking it, and I should do wrong in withholding it. I beg your earnest

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MEMOIR OF MRS. SMITH.

prayers that we may be directed in selecting a child from the Pequods. He will be an interesting object to us, as we hope the Lord will convert and sanctify him as a chosen vessel. Let us pray that we may be so evidently guided in our choice, that the Spirit may whisper to us, ' Arise and anoint him, for this is he? And like David, who was taken from the sheep-cote, may he prove a blessing to his nation."

It is proper here to remark that Miss Huntington's interest in this object knew no decrease, in the midst of her foreign missionary labors. Writing from Syria, to her first associate in labors among the Mohegans, she says

"Miss Williams and I often talk of Mohegan; and we have received many interesting letters from Mr. Gleason. I shall not forget the scenes in old Lucy's kitchen, and beneath the hay-stack, in which you and I mingled. I trust we shall talk of them in heaven."

It may gratify the reader to know the present state of this little mission. The following extract of a letter recently received from Rev. Anson Gleason, the pastor and teacher stationed at Mohegan, answers inquiry on this point. After giving an account of the organization of the church, he observes "Since then, from time to time, others have been hopefully converted and united to our little fold; till upwards of forty have been enrolled thirteen of whom are natives, three males and ten females. One native female has been excommunicated; two have departed this life in peace; two white sisters have also died. Our members generally are spiritual and active, both natives and whites, and live in much harmony and good feeling. Thus, dear brother, you see that the precious seed your sister sowed in tears, here on this hard soil, has come up and yielded a glorious harvest. The little school she left is very prosperous. There are now twenty native children who attend school, and are making good progress in useful studies. One little Indian girl is making rapid progress in the Latin Reader."

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THE time had now arrived, in which Miss Huntington was to have the gratification of her long-cherished wishes to serve her divine Lord, and promote the salvation of a dying world, by engaging in the foreign mission service. It appeared the design of Providence, that through the Rev. ELI SMITH, of the American Mission at Beyroot, Syria, should be brought before her mind the subject of entering upon that good work, as the wife of a missionary. As it is instructive and interesting to see the movements of the mind and heart of a Christian like Miss Huntington, in contemplating such an important step, extracts will be given from her correspondence with her father and other friends on the subject.

86

"MARCH, 1833.

My honored and beloved Father: -I have taken my pen to address you on a subject which could not at present be discussed, in personal conversation, either by you or me, with sufficient composure. It is one so momentous in its nature, that I almost tremble while I write; and I would most tenderly and respectfully request you to suspend your judgment, and strive to control the strong affections of your heart, until you have deliberately and prayerfully considered the whole matter.

"You know, my dear father, that I have long regarded the missionary cause with deep interest; but how deep,

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no being bu the God of missions, has known. My sincerity is now put to the test; and the question is to be decided, whether I will forsake home and country, to dwell as a laborer in that land which was the cradle of Christianity' is contiguous to the scene of our Saviour's sufferings and where he promised peculiar blessings upon those who should be made partakers of the same. I have not now to decide upon the single question, Am I willing to become a Missionary? That has been long settled in my own mind. But it involves another - Will I go in the way which Providence now seems to point out? This last depends upon the course which my feelings shall take towards the individual who has presented the inquiry,—in case your approbation be obtained.

"I could cover many pages in recording the circumstances which have contributed to inspire me with what I hope is a missionary spirit; but can only glance at the most prominent, to convince you, that at the age of thirty, and after twelve years' training in the school of Christ, my resolution is not hastily formed.

"From the first year of my Christian life, I began to feel the importance of sacrifices, to promote the cause of missions, on the part of those who remain at home. Supposing myself unqualified, by education and habits, for active service abroad, the continually deepening views which I received were confined to labors at home; until the time that Rev. Mr. Temple addressed our auxiliary, more than three years since; when they assumed a definite form. Never shall I forget the impression made upon me by his appeals! I seemed pressed down with such a weight of obligation, and sense of past delinquency, that I almost wished the dust might cover me, and oblivion throw its veil over my unpardonable indifference. It was an epoch in my Christian course. I consecrated myself anew to my Saviour's cause, and I hope was accepted in so doing.

"It was not long after this that the Valley of the Mississippi became an object of interest; and to this field, I