We, the subscribers, certify, that the foregoing Speech was delivered by the above-named Sachems, to the Rev. LEMUEL COVELL, word for word, as near as could be translated. Witness our hands, NICHOLAS COSICK, JOHN MOUNTPLEASANT, Interpreters. I hereby certify, that I wrote down the above Speech, as delivered to me by the above interpreters. ELKANAH HOLMES." CHAPTER V. Temporal troubles and giving up of worldly concerns; Doings of the session 1805; Second appointment to the Canada Mission; Letters to his Daughter; Journey to Boston; Invitation from the church in Cheshire, Mass.; Occurrence among the Indians while on his Mission; Removal to Cheshire; Review of his sojourn in Pittstown. But while Mr. Covell was so ardently and successfully laboring in the vineyard of the Lord, his own affairs were becoming continually more embarrassed, and he saw no prospect of retrieving his affairs, without devoting himself exclusively to his own private interests. But this was not in his commission, that run, "let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God." Accordingly his resolution was taken. He sold his place to one of his deacons, Mr. Head, and in the spring of 1805, returned to the small house and garden, he had left a few years before. He found by inspection, that the demands against him, exceeded his ability to meet, to the amount of $700. He made a frank and full disclosure of his condition to his people, and his church and society conjointly agreed to raise the money, upon condition that he should never leave them to become the pastor of any other people, unless that people would refund the money to them. To this he consented, and beheld every creditor paid to the uttermost farthing. Then from his heart could he exclaim in the language of his favorite poet, "Now I forbid my carnal hope, My fond desires recall, I give my mortal interest up, He had become convinced that his portion was not to be of this world, nor his labors to be expended for the meat that perisheth. In conversation with a ministering brother on the subject of his affairs, he remarked in the words of the wise man, "The lot is cast into the lap, but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord." The Association convened this year at Hoosic Falls. We commence with their Minutes, at article 8: "The Committee charged with the missionary fund, reported, that during the year past, they received $91,31. That they have expended $51, leaving a balance of $40,3§. That they have employed Elder H. Gorton three months, on a mission through the western country, as far as Long Point, in Upper Canada. That he has reported, that he found the people in general much engaged to hear preaching; that in some places in the Province of Upper Canada, they were so anxious to hear the gospel, that they would encounter difficulties almost insurmountable, and danger indescribable, to get to meetings for preaching, and that there appeared a general solicitude to have us continue to send them assistance by missionaries.That he found the church at Charlotteville in trials, but left them in more comfortable circumstances. That there was some revival of religion in that place, and seven persons baptized while he was there. That he also presented a written request from the church and society in that place, and another from a number of inhabitants in other parts of the Province, earnestly requesting us to send missionaries to visit them as often as possible, and above all, to settle a permanent missionary in that country, manifesting at the same time their willingness to do all in their power to help him with such things as they have to bestow for the comfort of his family. That he also visited the Tuscarora Indians, was cordially received by them, and found things favora ble and encouraging among them, and that they had sent a Talk in writing to the Association, expressing their thanks to God and us for sending missionaries to visit them, and their earnest desire to be further instructed in the gospel. The above report concludes as follows: Resolved, unanimously, That this committee do cordially approve of the labors and report of our beloved brother Gorton, and we earnestly recommend to the Association the propriety of making further exertions in the same way. The several papers alluded to in the above report, were read, which excited transports of joy and commiseration in the hearts of many who heard them, particularly that from the poor savages. Resolved, unanimously, That this Association do cordially approve of the doings of our Committee and the labors of our beloved brother Gorton as reported; and that we will make all such further exertions as lie in our power to send missionaries into those parts, and others destitute of preaching-therefore 9. Resolved, unanimously, That the same Committee, viz: Elders Peck, Blood, Webb, Hull, Craw and Covell, Brethren Rouse, Upham, Rogers, Hendrix, Child, and Choat, be our Committee to carry the same into effect. 10. Resolved, That suitable answers be prepared by brother Webb, in the name of the Association, to all the papers* alluded to in the report of our Committee, and that whoever is sent out the present year as missionary, be the bearer of the same. Mr. Covell again said to his brethren, "here am I," and accordingly he received an appointment to visit again *With pleasure would the writer insert these papers were they now to be obtained. Mr. Covell, as Clerk of the Association and Missionary Cominittee, so many successive years, had perhaps the greatest accumulation of Associational and Missionary documents of any one man in the connection; and while he lived, he preserved them with great care; but after his decease many of his writings and pamphlets became scattered beyond recall. the waiting regions of the west. On this tour he was to spend six months. Elder Jonathan Finch was also appointed on a tour northward, three months. The missionary cause was evidently and annually gaining ground. The holy fire first enkindled in Mr. Covell's bosom, and breathed forth in his own unstudied eloquence, from time to time, and place to place, had spread from heart to heart, from church to church, till the greater part of the Association became as the heart of one man. As has been already mentioned, Mr. Covell had sold his possession, adjusted his affairs, and retired from all secular concerns. He received but about $200 a year as a salary for preaching, but his family enjoyed good health, and by the economy and prudent management of one of the best of wives, they were always comfortably supported. His own health was never sound. He was subject to frequent attacks of the bilious cholic-to hard and frequent pain in the head, and was frequently, yes, very frequently, afflicted with the phthisic. But even this disease was turned to account. Some of his choisest meditations owe their origin to the midnight solitude of his fire-side musings, when the poor distressed lungs made sleep a stranger to his pillow, and denied him the refreshment of a recumbent position. With a blazing fire, an elbow-chair, and a pipe both for remedy and companionship, he was wont to hold long and frequent vigils with his thoughts and his complaint. Of course his sermons were enriched, Zion was benefitted, but his physical system was worn. Mr. Covell had this summer placed his eldest daughter, then something over thirteen, under the care of the Rev. David Rathbun, teacher of a select school at Hoosic Falls. While there he wrote her the following letters: |