Cherokee Phoenix and Indians' Advocate
Wednesday, August 19, 1829
Vol. II No. 20
Page 2, col. 2b

From the Christian Advocate & Journal
Asbury Mission, (near the Creek Agency,) June 19,1829.
 
 DEAR BROTHER:  The time has arrived when I am required to make my second quarterly report of the Asbury Mission.  There is now nothing extraordinary in operation at this place.  The school has increased since my last report from seven to twenty.  They are improving as fast as I could expect.  This people are verily an oppressed people.  I cannot see that advancement in civilization among them that I could wish.  Yet I hope they are improving.  The relation of one circumstance, however, will evince to the world the possibility of their civilization and conversion to God, and when they are thus brought to its enjoyment their unwillingness to give it up:  A full blooded Creek, a sister in the church, (Mrs. Hardridge,) came to the mission house not long since to church, and stayed all night, (Saturday night,) as her ususal custom was.  On Sunday evening, after meeting, she came and knocked at the room door, and let us know, myself and wife, that she wished to come in.  When admitted, she said, through an interpreter, "I have not got much to say, but I wish to tell you farewell, for I expect never to come here again to meeting."  I told her, I was very sorry to hear that.  "Yes," she replied, "I am sorry too, but cannot help it."  When I asked her the reason, she said, "my people are going to the Arkansas, and I am obliged to go too.  Ah., said she, it makes my heart ache when I think about going to the Arkansas," and burst into tears, while I could not refrain from weeping.  While thus melted down and so inseparally united by the strong ties of Christianity, she inquired of me whether there "were any persons that prayed in the Arkansas.  I replied that whether there were any or not, the Lord would never leave nor forsake her as long as she put her trust in him; that he would be her help and her shield; and that if we meet no more on earth, if faithful to God, we should meet in heaven, where parting sounds, will be heard no more; that there the red, black, and white men would meet together ere long in harmony, to dwell for ever in heaven.  She then bid us farewell, no more to meet, in all probability, on this  earth.  But she, for one, bid us farewell with a heart fraught with sorrow.  She who had tasted of the seeds of civilization, and mere, the sweets of Christianity, now to be torn away into a wilderness, again to spend her life in solitude, (so far as it relates to the company of Christians) till summoned by death to mingle with the ranks of Christians and the saints of God in heaven.  There I expect to see many of the poor aborigines of different tribes of the forest surround the throne of God in heaven, while many of the poor wretches of Christendom will be cast out into outer darkness, where there shall be weeping & gnasing of teeth.

 O could the world see the struggles that many of the poor aborigines are making towards civilization and Christianity, and the many difficulties and discouragements, with which they meet, they surely could not but sympathize with and feel for them, and not only feel, but do for them that which would advance them in the way to its enjoyment.

 This work we have no hesitancy in saying is the work of the Lord.  O sirs, come up to the help of the Lord against thy mighty, and of success we assure you in the name of our God.  The desert shall blossom like the rose, and the wilderness become a fruitful soil and mount Zion shall become the beauty of the whole earth.  Amen.

 Yours in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ.
       N. H. RHODES

This transcription from the Cherokee Phoenix is presented as part of the historical record, and includes historical materials that may contain negative stereotypes or language reflecting the culture or language of a particular period or place including terminology that may not be deemed appropriate today. While an effort has been made to verify the transcription against the original text, complete accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Researchers are urged to match the transcription against the original article to authenticate exact quotes. Issues of the Cherokee Phoenix are available on microfilm. Please check your local library for availability or to inquire about interlibrary loan of a microfilm copy.

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