don their former habits of living, and turn to
the cultivation of their lands. Their progress
in civilization has, since then, been much more
rapid, than the most sanguine could have ex
pected; and on comparing the condition of these
Indian tribes, at the time the last deputation from
our committee visited them, with their present
situation, we are of opinion, that there is great
cause of encouragement for Friends to persevere
in the benevolent work they have undertaken;
and strong ground to hope, that our labours
will, in the end, be crowned with the desired
success.

When we reflect on the gradual, but con-
tinued decrease of these people, from the time
the Europeans first visited this continent, until
the present; and the many whole tribes, of
which not any trace now remains, except their
names; there is every reason to believe, that
should the Indians continue to pursue their
former mode of life, a few centuries more,
many other whole nations of them will become
entirely extinct.

Impressed with this melancholy consideration,
it must be a prospect truly gladdening to the en-
lightened Christian mind, to survey the hasten-
ing of that day, when this part of the human fa-