Elizabeth-Town gazette. [volume] (Elizabeth-Town, N.J.) 1818-1821, 1820-04-04
TO THE PUBLIC.

The Board OF Directors OF the United
Foreign Missionary ,ociety, since its or
ganization, have been zealously pursuing
the great objects, for the promotion Of
which that Society was formed. They
have e0deavored to collect all necessary
information in relation to those objects. and
carefully and faithfully to prepare and ar
range the best plaus for their accomplish
ment. To the present time, they have been
principally occupied in thus laying the
foundation and erecting the scafToldng for
a future superstructure. They have nom
the pleasure OF announcing to the public,
that they have determined 10 fix mission
airy station among the Usage Indians in
the Arkansas Territory. The country has
been explored, and the position has been
fixed upon. The place is on the Grand
River, which is branch Of the Arkan-
sas River; ia about the thirtg.s;xth de-
gree of north latitude, and about the
ninety eighth degree OF west longitude.
The Osages are large tribe and the
southern branch of the tribe, to which
this mission is to be sent, is computed to
consist Of from eight to ten thousand soals
The unanimous consent of their Chiefs
has been obtaiued; and they have express
ed strong desires for such an establishment.
since they have heard Of the improvements
introduced among their red brethren by
the missionaries at the stations called
Brainerd and Elliot.
The Board have been so prospered by
HIM, for whose glory they labor, as that
already number of persons have been
induced to give themselves to the Board
and to the LORD, and to devote themselves
to his service at this station. The offers
of these persons have been accepted; and
the Board have requested them to repair
to New York, by the middle Of April.
The part Of the Mission Family, which
will then be collected together, il is ex
pected, will consist of two ministers Of the
gospel, their wives, and four children !;
two male assistants, one of them accompa-
MED by his wife and two children; aud
three female assistants; forming the num-
Der Of sixteen souls. Exertions are ma.
king 10 obtain three other male assistants.
| So that the part Of the mission family, to
be sent on by the Board, may be calcula-
| ted TO consist of about twenty persons.
Among these, there will be two preachers
of the Gospel, farmer, blacksmith, and
at least three female instructors in reading,
sewing, and the various particulars Of do.
nestle economy; these are already en-.
gagged. And the Board hope to obtain a
physician, a carpenter, aud mason.
/ When these persons shall arrive at their
station, the children Of the Indians will
be ready to come under their care, to be.
come members of the same family, living
under the same roof, and eating at the
same table. What number of chiidrer
will be received, cannot now be told bu
even tho hundred might be obtained, couIt
they be attended TO and provided for ant
OF all ages, from six to twenty years
The children of the Indians are aitogethe,
svithoat cfothing.
i II is obvious that the expenses Of sucl
an establishment must be very heavy, aut
Especially the commencement Of il. The
persons who go out TO form il must receiv,
from the Board the supply Of their wants
and every comfort which can be procured
for them. To fit them out for their Ions
Journey from the places Of their presen
residence to their destined home to sup
port them while there; to shelter, ant
clothe, and provide for them, and for tn,
Indian children who viii be received int
the family, will subject the Board to {
large and serious expenditure. But trust
lug to HIM, whose glory they would pro
uote, and who has blessed them hitherto
the Board are determined TO proceed
Trusting TO HIM also to incline the heart
Of those who may read or hear this plaiu
statement, the Board now solicit the elf
1 Of such articles as the mission family will