The following letter appears to have been occasioned by an intimation that the Board were about to send a messenger to the Mission. This measure may not be carried into effect, though it would, doubtless, be attended with much good. The letter breathes an excellent spirit, and will be read with interest. It is dated at Cherokee, Cherokee Nation, Aug. 27, 1845.

Honored and Dear Brethren -

      We, the delegates from the churches in connexion with the Baptist Mission in the Cherokee Nation, have heard, with great pleasure, that our beloved brethren, the members of the Baptist Board of Foreign Missions, have it in contemplation to send one of their number to visit us.

      We have received from you so many marks of love to us, and care for the perfecting of the work of the Lord among us, that another opportunity to express our thankfulness to one of yourselves would be occasion of great satisfaction.

      We had great pleasure in the interviews we had with our beloved br. A-dsi-nu-si-du (Bacon). We have not forgotten the pleasant day he spent with us at this place, giving us personal instruction in the word of God ; and how he exhorted us all, "that with purpose of heart we would cleave unto the Lord." Willi that visit our hearts were comforted, and the hands of our instructers [sic] strengthened. And, we trust, the savor of it is not yet lost. It was an occasion of great joy to ns to welcome him to our country, and we feel ready with equal cordiality to receive any one of your number, or of your appointing, who may visit us again. And we shall rejoice to receive the message of the Lord from his mouth.

      The printing press, which was purchased when our br. Bacon was here, has been in successful operation. We have already received much instruction through it; and if the Lord shall spare the lives and health of those who use it, we hope to receive much more. Much information also has been diffused among our people by the same means. The advantages we receive through the press, we estimate very highly, and our thanks for these rich privileges are unceasing.

      We hope, if it be possible, that we shall not be disappointed of the visit we so earnestly look for.

      Allow us to say, that at our meetings we do not forget you in our prayers. You, and many brethren now with God, remembered us when we knew nothing; when we cared not for our own souls. By the mercy of God we now pray for you, and for the spread of the gospel, by your labors, among other nations.

      We are thankful that we have evidence that the gospel is still extending its influence, though we have had to mourn over some individuals who have acted unworthily.

      We have four days' meetings appointed at several places, and if the visit of our beloved brother should be at the time of one of those meetings, it would be a high gratification to us and to our people, to have the pleasure of his company. The meetings are appointed as follows: - at Cherokee, the fourth Sabbath in September; at Dsiyohee, the fourth in October, and at Delaware Town, the third in November, commencing at each place on the Friday before and continuing till Monday.

      We shall also be glad to have a meeting, at this place, of the delegates from the churches at the time of the contemplated visit.

      We pray that the peace of God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, may ever be with you. Amen.

      Signed by Ga-ni-da or John Wickliffe, and twenty-four others, members of the meeting.

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[From The Baptist Missionary Magazine, Volumes 25-26, 1845, pp. 297-298. Scanned and formatted by Jim Duvall.]

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