The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-03-04

clded tnat the Religion vi jesus snOulu
liot be banished from among them, and
that the missionaries should remain to in
struct them.
The idea that the heather are given to
reflections upon religion of some kind,
and require only to have the true one
presented, is a great mistake. The truth
is, their minds are, for the most part, in
utter vacancy on the entire subject
One who had taken great pains to ascer-
tain their views in relation to the being
of a God, remarked in my hearing, that
the most frequent answer he received
from the Choctaws, as to their thoughts
on this point, before the missionaries
went among them was, "Never thought.
The Rev. G. Byington once said to me,
that when he commenced trying to in
struct them in a knowledge of divine
things, it seemed to him, "like an effort
to put naked ideas into an iron safe. y
And yet it was but few years after these
devoted men went among them, until
great numbers afforded the mos. satisfac-
tory evidence of genuine work of grace
upon their hearts.
After churches had been organized
among them, these beloved brethren often
brought some of the converted natives with
them to our Presbyteries and Synods.-
Although few of them could speak our
language, they never hesitated to sing or
pray when requested. To hear the ser
vice of God in strange language, all
strange except the frequent recurrence
of the blessed name of Jesus, never fail
ed to impress those who were present.
1t was said by those who understood their
language, that they always concluded
their prayers by telling the Lord that
they had no more to say at that time.
One instance connected with these mis-
sions will never be forgotten. Our Synod
met at T. Rev. G. Byington, who
was member, was accompanied by ma
tive ruling elder, whose strange Indian
name | have now forgotten. He was far
advanced in years, and truly venerable
in his demeanor. During all the sessions
of the Synod he sat beside his pastor,
and seemed to have an Ineligible under
standing of the object of the meeting
Every subject of Importance was ex-
planned to him by Mr.. B. in his own
language before vote was taken.
Near the close of the Synod a strong
desire was expressed by the citizens to
hear, him a.5;' r-an address in chqctaw.
The request was acceded to, with the un-
derstanding that Mr.. Byington should
translate his remarks into English. The
time selected was the evening of our own
missionary meeting. A very large con-
course assembled. At the designated pc
riod he took his stand in front of the
pulpit. So far as could be perceived, his
mind was in perfect composure. The
most intense stiffness reigned throughout
the large congregation. He delivered a
sentence in his strange and unknown
tongue and was then silent. Brother
Byington, who was standing by his side,
interpreted this sentence into English
He spoke another sentence in Choctaw
which was interpreted, and thus proceed
ed to the close of the intended remarks.
The substance of what he said was
nearly as follows: He remarked that in
his earliest remembrance he and all his
tribe were living in the utmost darkness.
They had no knowledge beyond the mar
row circle of their observation and expe-
rience. They knew nothing with GER
tainty of what had been before them, nor
of what would be their condition after
they left the world. Their pursuits were
low, and their practices debasing and
cruel. Revenge and war were their high
er aims. They had no knowledge of q
God nor of future world that could
profit them. At length the missionaries
came among them. He listened to them
but for some time he could not under
stand what they meant. He heard then
telling about Jesus Christ, how he dice
because we were sinners. He then fell
that he was sinner, and the more b,
thought, the more wicked he felt himsel
to be. He still listened and learne,
more. They told him that none but Je
sus could take away his sins. He praye'
and prayed again. He became more un
happy. One day he was in the wood
alone. There he prayed long time, am
at last thought there was no help. ID
was under hickory tree. 'And Will
I was standing under that hickory tree,
said he, "Jesus Christ came down int
my heart
l was seated where the greater part Q
the congregation were under my view.-
Towards the close of his simple remarks
every eye seemed swimming in tears
All were iutent to hear the conclusion
But when he uttered the words, "Jesu
Christ came down into my heart" tn
emotions of many could no longer be re
strained. 1t seemed as though sudde