The Book of Religions Part 46

This society was preceded in its formation by the Missionary Seminary at Basle, in 1816. In 1821, the Missionary Society was formed by the various pastors and churches of the surrounding country, under the encouragement of Dr. Steinkopff. The scene of their first labors was among the German colonies in Asiatic Russia, in 1822, when seven missionaries were sent to prepare the way of the Lord in that important field. Others followed, and their mission was beginning to promise great results, when, in 1837, by a _ukase_ from the emperor of the Russias, they were required to abandon their work.

In 1828, they commenced a mission at Liberia. Death became their opponent here, and seven of their missionaries died through the sickliness of the climate. Two missionaries are still laboring in that field.

They have seven missionaries in Hindoostan, who occupy two stations,-Mangalore and Dharwar. They expect to establish another, shortly, at Hoobly, for which five missionaries have been sent out. There are several schools, and one seminary, connected with these stations.

Church Of Scotland Missions.

These missions appear to be of recent date. Most of their labor is expended on Asia.

Calcutta, Bombay, Poonah, and Madras, are their princ.i.p.al stations. Their missionaries devote a large portion of their efforts to the promotion of education.

Rhenish Missionary Society.

The successes of the London Missionary Society inspired the pious inhabitants of the valley of the Rhine with an ardent wish to imitate their zeal. Under this impulse, a society was formed, in 1828, at Barmen, on the Rhine, by a union of the previously-formed societies of Barmen, Elberfield, Cologne, and Wesel.

Messrs. Gottlieb, Leipold, Zahn and Wurmb, were among their earliest missionaries. Wurmb was formerly a soldier. He fought in the battle of Leipsic as lieutenant, and obtained two medals of honor. He next studied medicine, and gained a diploma; and when he became a subject of religious influence, he laid all his honors and learning at the foot of the cross.

He began his labors at Wupperthal, in South Africa, in which country are several missionaries, and four stations.

Missions Of The Roman Catholic Church.

We regret that it is not in our power to record the missionary efforts of the Roman Catholics. Suffice it to say that their missions extend to all countries, and that they are ardent in their zeal, indefatigable in their labors, and unsparing in their expenditures, in the propagation of the doctrines of this ancient church.

Jews' Missionary Society.

This a.s.sociation was formed in England, in 1808. It is patronized chiefly by ministers and members of the established church. It has forty-nine missionaries and agents, who occupy twenty-three stations in Asia and Europe. Of these missionaries, twenty-four are Jewish converts. Its receipts in 1839 were upwards of eighty thousand dollars. Three or four thousand Jews have been converted, by this and other instrumentalities, within a few years.

In England, there is an inst.i.tution for the purpose of receiving Jewish converts, and teaching them a trade. A considerable number have enjoyed its privileges.

Indians.

As great efforts are making, by almost all cla.s.ses of Christians to spread the benign influence of the gospel among the red men on our borders, it may not be amiss to state their locations, numbers, &c. &c.

Mr. McCoy, in his valuable "Annual Register of Indian Affairs," published at Shawanoe, in the Indian Territory, makes many important statements respecting this highly-interesting people.

He says that the number of Indians north of Mexico may be fairly estimated at one million eight hundred thousand. He estimates the population of the tribes east and west of the Mississippi as follows:-

Tribes East Of Mississippi River.

Indians in New England and New York 4,715 Indians from New York, at Green Bay 725 Wyandots, in Ohio and Michigan 623 Miamies 1,200 Winnebagoes 4,591 Chippewas 6,793 Ottawas and Chippewas of Lake Michigan 5,300 Chippewas, Ottawas, and Putawatomies 8,000 Putawatomies 1,400 Menominees 4,200 Creeks 23,668 Cherokees 10,000 Chickasaws 5,429 Choctaws 3,500 Seminoles 2,420 Appalachicolas 340 Total 81,904

Tribes West Of Mississippi River.

Sioux 27,500 Iowas 1,200 Sauks of Missouri 500 Sauks and Foxes 6,400 a.s.sinaboines 8,000 Crees 3,000 Camanches 7,000 Crows 4,500 Arrepahas, Kiawas, &c. 1,400 Caddoes 800 Snake and other tribes within the Rocky Mountains 20,000 Gros-ventres 3,000 Arrekaras 3,000 Cheyennes 2,000 Minatarees 1,500 Mandans 1,500 Black Feet 30,000 Tribes west of Rocky Mountains 80,000 Total 201,300

The above tribes, although within the territory of the United States, are not within what is commonly called the Indian Territory.

Mr. McCoy states the names and numbers of the indigenous and emigrant tribes within the Indian Territory, so called, as follow:-

Indigenous Tribes.

Osage 5,510 Kauzau, or Kansas 1,684 Otoe and Missouria 1,600 Omaha 1,400 p.a.w.nee 10,000 Puncah 800 Quapau 450 Total 21,444

Emigrant Tribes.

Choctaw 15,000 Cherokee 4,000 Creek 3,600 Seneca and Shawanoo of Neosho 462 Wea 225 Piankasha 119 Peoria and Kaskaskias 135 Ottawa 81 Shawanoe of Kauzau River 764 Delaware 856 Kickapoo 603 Putawatomie 444 Emigrant 26,289 Indigenous 21,444 Total 47,733

Among the population of the emigrant tribes are included thirteen hundred and fifty negro slaves.

Mr. McCoy estimates that, of the one million eight hundred thousand Indians in North America, about seventy thousand may be cla.s.sed with civilized man, having in greater or less degrees advanced towards civilization.

By the Indian Territory is meant the country within the following limits, viz.: Beginning on Red River, on the Mexican boundary, and as far west of the state of Arkansas as the country is habitable; thence down Red River, eastwardly, along the Mexican boundary to Arkansas; thence northwardly, along the line of Arkansas, to the state of Missouri; thence north, along its western line, to Missouri River; thence up Missouri River to Puncah River; thence westerly as far as the country is habitable; thence southwardly to the place of beginning.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF THE FATHERS OF THE REFORMATION, FOUNDERS OF SECTS, AND OF OTHER DISTINGUISHED INDIVIDUALS MENTIONED IN THIS VOLUME.

John Wickliffe.