Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1826-04-29

with regard TO our moral condition;
and, that be does not intend TO repress
the missionary spirit, but rather encou-
rage it. We can assure the friends Of
Religion abroad-those at home need
not the assurance-that we long TO see
"more laborers in the field" and espe-
cially because we believe 1t to be alrea-
dy "white unto the harvest" Not above
(or benealh) the want of their labors, but
prepared, in some degree, for the bene.
fetal application of them. We sub Join
an extract from the eighth letter Of the
Western Baptist in confirmation Of what
we suggested as 10 bis design.
INDIANA, ILLINOIS AND MISSOURI.
10 these Sia'es now wish 10 call the
attention OF the friends OF missionary en-
terprise The population OF these
States amounts to about $4,000 already,
and is increasing with rapidly, OF which
our northern and eastern friends have no
adequate conception. Some idea may
be formed by adverting to the census for
q few years past. In 1910, Indiana con-
tanned 24,5OO, Illinois l2,2oO, and Mis-
souri,, alter expunglng one iour'h Tor
Arkansas, hau $500, in all 50 200
souls. 10 1920. Indiana furnished l47,-
600 Illinois SIS 900 and Missouri Sc 500.
In 1878, Illinois exhibited but a small
fraction over 40 600. Now Indiana has
about 2lO 900, Illinois Is 900, Missouri
80 900. When it is considered that iu-
ture emigration to the West will not
spread itself over vast extent OF coun-
try as in past times, for the obvious rea-
son, that there are no more extensive
territories, that will admit of much po-
pulation, an additional item is gained as
The basis of calcu alton.
The settlements of Missouri and Ar
kansas are bounded by lntermlnable
pralrles on the west. Those vast tracts
o. country, that lie on both sides of the
Mississippi, north OF the Missouri and
Illinois, are mountainous, broken, bar
rem regions, that will not invite the emil
grant. South, our settlements now ex-
tend near the Mexican Gulf. Conse-
quently with the exception OF few mil
lions of acres, which, by force, intrigue,
or other means, may be wrested from the
southern and western Indians, that are
located within our borders, there is not
much territory to admit of settlement
and culture. Then, again, we have H.
100000 white population, as the prin-
cipal to produce an annual interest in
emlgranls to the west, instead of 2,OOO,-
600, which formed this principal, half a
century ago. Nothing is now exhibited
In perspective, that should lead TO the
conclusion, that any serious check will
be given TO western emigration for a
long time to come. There is ample
room for millions within the limits OF
settlements, now formed in the western
states. This hasty view of facts and
circumstances leads to the conclusion,
that the three States under considera-
ton, must have population little short
OF SIX MILLIONS, so years hence. The
children are now at school in those states,
who III reasonable probability will see
this exist. The train of causes is now
upon that mass Of human beings. Here
then are facts existing, and circumstao-
ces in prospect, that exhibit the impor-
lance OF missionary operations in these
states, over all the means oil improve.
ment employed in old and already popu.
lated settlements. Here q character is
yet to be formed.-Tbere, the train of
causes has long operated, and the habits
and principles OF the people have be-
come fixed. Here, every description OF
means calculated TO promote intelligence,
morals, and religion, is to be estimated a
hundred fold, because applied, not only
to torn the character OF few thousands
that now exist amongst us, but to form
the character of millions in the next age.
The question then arises, all field be
neglected which is so vastly Important
field now ripe for the sickle, and where
the seed may be scattered 50 widely for
luxurian, harvests hereafter? repeat
the suggestion-,he next ten years, will
form the crisis in the religious affairs Of
these States. Will our Baptist breth-
ren give US aid viii they leave those
who are laboring with considerable sue
cess, and are struggling to advance the
various interests Of society, under the
encouraging expectation that help will
come speedily, TO toll alone? / am
aware that assistance has been furnished
already to some Of these states. Blu, it
should be recolIected that all done here
.ofore in this field by Baptist missiona
Lao h. al IF