FROM HER RETURN TO BRAINERD, UNTIL SHE TAKES CHARGE OF A SCHOOL AT
CREEK-PATH.
_Benefits resulting from her being taken from the school.--Her
return.--Letters.--Her brother David a member of the school.--His
conversion.--Catharine and David visit their sick father.--A school
established near Mr. Brown’s.--Account of John Arch.--Efforts
of Catharine and David at Brainerd.--The latter goes to New
England.--His subsequent history.--A female teacher wanted at
Creek-Path.--Catharine undertakes this service.--Letters._
Those, who will but observe, may often witness very affecting instances
of the particular and merciful providence, which God exercises towards
his children in this world. Both the removal and the return of
Catharine may be regarded as such instances.
What was the precise influence upon her own character, of her being
taken from Brainerd, cannot be determined; though there is little doubt
but her faith and patience were, by this means, increased. But the
consequences of her removal to others, are more obvious. It led the way
to the formation of schools, and to the stated preaching of the Gospel,
at Creek-Path, the place of her father’s residence, and to the hopeful
conversion of nearly all her family; thus illustrating the maxim, that
our greatest blessings may spring from our severest afflictions.
Her return was scarcely expected by the missionaries, when, on the 23d
of May 1819, her father brought her again to Brainerd, and committed
her to their care, until her education should be completed, intending
to remove immediately, with the remainder of his family, beyond the
Mississippi. This purpose, as has been previously intimated, was not
executed. Mr. Brown did not proceed to the Arkansas country until more
than four years after this time, and not till the beloved daughter,
for whose society he was so desirous, had been laid in the dust. The
causes of this delay are unknown to the author of this memoir.
Catharine ascribed the change in the intentions of her parents
respecting her, wholly to the special providence of Him, who heareth
prayer. The appointed time for their departure drew near. She
was convinced that it was not best for her to go. Her continual
intercessions were, that her parents might be induced to leave her
behind. And her prayers were answered. After one of her seasons of
private devotion, she returned to her family, with a delightfully
confident hope, that God had listened to her requests; and, as she
entered the room where her parents were sitting, she found they had
been consulting on the expediency of sending her back to Brainerd; and
had actually resolved upon her return. This was just half a year from
the period of her removal from that consecrated place.
On this occasion, the missionaries very naturally exclaim;--“How
unsearchable are the ways of God! We thought it a very afflicting
providence that this lamb should be snatched from the fold of Christ,
to go, as we thought, where she would be exposed to be devoured by
wolves; and were ready to say in our hearts, when her father required
her to go with him, ‘not so.’ But in this very way, God has given her
an opportunity to set an example of filial obedience, by submitting
to the authority of a father, in a most painful requisition, and of
manifesting her love to the Saviour, in her willingness to forsake all
for him; and, at the same time, has granted her the object of her pious
and fervent desire.”
With how much delight she revisited the scenes of her first aspirations
after God and heaven, will appear in a letter, which was written a few
days after her arrival at Brainerd.
TO MR. AND MRS. HALL, AT KNOXVILLE.
_Brainerd, May 30, 1819._
My dear Brother and Sister,
With pleasure I spend a few moments in writing to you this evening,
to tell you of my safe arrival on the 23d of this month. O how great
was the joy that I felt, when meeting the dear family at Brainerd,
with whom I have long desired to be. Yes, dear brother and sister,
God has returned me back once more, where I can be with Christian
friends, and get more instruction. If it is the Lord’s will, I hope
to stay here two years longer. O that I might improve the great
privileges, which I now enjoy.
It appears strange to me, that I am not more interested in the cause
of Christ, when he has done so much for me. But I will now give
myself up entirely to Him. I should be willing to leave every thing
for God, and to undergo any sufferings, if it would but make me
humble, and would be for his glory.
My heart bleeds for my people, who are on the brink of destruction. O
pray for me, my dear brother and sister. I long to see you and your
little one. I am your affectionate sister,
CATHARINE BROWN.
Of her employments, from this time till the end of the year, the
documents, on which the principal reliance is placed, contain no
important notices. Doubtless she was occupied in making useful
acquisitions; and, so far as her duties as a member of the school would
permit, in communicating the knowledge she had acquired to others.
Two or three letters may properly be inserted here.
TO MR. AND MRS. WILLIAMS.
_Brainerd, July 5, 1819._
My dear Brother and Sister Williams,
Although I have long omitted answering your affectionate letters, my
heart has been often with you. Yes, dear brother and sister, I do
not forget you, and all the pleasant meetings we had together, when
you were here. But pain is mixed with pleasure, when I think they
are gone, no more to return! When I remember the kind instruction I
received from you, before you left this place, my heart swells with
gratitude. I feel much indebted to you, but more particularly to that
God, who sent you here to instruct the poor ignorant Indians in the
way that leads to everlasting life. Oh, my dear friends, may the Lord
ever bless you, and make you the instrument of doing great good where
he has called you.
You may pass through many trials; but remember, beloved brother and
sister, all our trials here will only make us richer there, when we
arrive at our home. A few more days, and then I hope our weary souls
will be at rest in our Saviour’s kingdom, where we shall enjoy His
blessed presence forever.
When I wrote you before, I expected to go to the Arkansas, and
never to see this place again. But the Lord has in mercy ordered it
otherwise. He has permitted me to live with the dear missionaries
here again, though my parents could not bear to think of leaving me
behind. My mother said, if I remained here, she did not expect to see
me again in this world. Indeed, she wished she had never sent me to
this school, and that I had never received religious instruction. I
told her, if she was a Christian she would not feel so. She would be
willing to give me, and all she had, up to Christ. I told her I did
not wish to stay on account of my own pleasure; but that I wished to
get more instruction, so that it might be for her good, as well as
for mine.
I felt very sorry for my poor parents. I thought it was my duty to
go in obedience to their commands, and commit myself to the will of
God. I knew the Lord could change the hearts of my parents.
They are now perfectly willing, that I should stay here two years
longer. I left them in March. They expected to set out in that month
for the Arkansas. They had already prepared for the journey. But the
Lord has so ordered, that they have concluded not to go until next
fall. I don’t know whether they will go then. I hope you will pray
for them, and also for me, that I may be useful to my dear people.
My heart bleeds for their immortal souls. O that I might be made the
means of turning many souls from darkness unto marvellous light.
My dear brother and sister, I love you much, and feel that the time
is short when we shall sit down with our Saviour, and experience that
love which no words can describe.
Give my love to my dear brother and sister Kingsbury, and also to all
the dear missionaries there. From your affectionate sister in Christ,
CATHARINE BROWN.
P. S. Please to accept this small present for my little darlings;
and learn them to say. “Aunt Catharine.”[7]
* * * * *
TO MR. MOODY HALL, AT TALONEY.[8]
_Brainerd, Oct. 25, 1819._
A few moments of this day shall be spent in writing to my dear
brother. It seems a long time, since you left us. I long to see you.
I long to hear from you. I hope the Lord is with you this day, that
you enjoy the presence of our dear Redeemer. My sincere desire and
earnest prayer to the throne of grace, is, that your labours may be
blessed, and that God would make you the instrument of saving many
souls from eternal destruction.
O how I feel for my poor Cherokee brethren and sisters, who do not
know the blessed Jesus, that died for us, and do not enjoy the
blessings that I do. How thankful I ought to be to God, that I have
ever been brought to the light of the Gospel, and was not left to
wander in darkness. O I hope the time is at hand, when all the
heathen shall know God, whom to know is life everlasting.
My dear brother, may we be faithful to our Master, knowing that
in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Our pilgrimage will
shortly be ended, and all our trials will be over. Do not forget me
in your daily prayers, for I need very much the prayers of God’s
children. My heart is prone to leave my God, whom I love. From your
unworthy sister in Christ,
CATHARINE BROWN.
* * * * *
TO MR. AND MRS. HALL,
On their removal from Brainerd.
_Brainerd, Nov. --, 1819._
How solemn, my dear brother and sister, is the idea, that we must
soon part. Perhaps the next time we meet will be in eternity, before
the bar of God. O my dear brother and sister, if we are prepared
to meet our God in peace, we shall surely be happy. But, my beloved
friends, how can I be permitted to meet you in heaven! My heart is so
prone to sin against God, that I am sometimes afraid he will leave
me. Forget not to pray, that all these doubts may be removed from me,
and that my soul may be washed in the blood of Jesus Christ.
I love you much, and feel that the time is short when we shall sit
down with our Saviour. Farewell, my dear brother and sister. May the
Lord go with you. From your sister
CATHARINE.
In the same month, in which the last letter was written, we find David
Brown, the brother of Catharine, employed, in connexion with another
young Indian named John Arch, to assist the Rev. Mr. Butrick, one of
the missionaries at Brainerd, in preparing a Cherokee spelling-book,
which was afterwards printed for the use of the schools. Of course,
David had previously entered the school. And we may safely conclude
that she, who had prayed so earnestly for him, when he was absent,
would not fail to exert herself for his spiritual good, when present.
Her efforts, in conjunction with those of the missionaries, were not
ineffectual. David became thoughtful--deeply impressed--convinced of
his sinfulness and his need of salvation by Jesus Christ--and, early in
the year 1820, hopes were entertained, that he had become truly pious.
Soon after this, hearing that their father was ill, these young
converts from heathenism went home to see him. They remained at home
about seven weeks. Catharine says, “David seized his Bible as soon as
he reached home, and began to read and interpret to his father and
mother, and the other members of the family, exhorting them to attend
to it as the word of God, to repent of their sins, which he told them
were many and great, and to become the followers of the Lord Jesus
Christ.” With his father’s consent, he maintained the worship of God in
the family, morning and evening, and craved a blessing and gave thanks
at the table. He also conversed freely with friends and neighbours,
boldly professing himself a Christian.
The impression made by this visit, in connexion with the previous
efforts of Catharine, was such, that when Mr. Brown, after recovering
from his illness, brought his children back to Brainerd, he delivered
to the missionaries the following letter, signed by himself and others,
headmen and chiefs.
“We, the headmen, chiefs of the Creek-Path town, Cherokee nation, have
this day assembled ourselves together for the purpose of devising some
plan for the education of our children. We daily witness the good
effects arising from education, and therefore are extremely anxious to
have a school in our neighbourhood, as the distance from this part of
the nation to Chickamaugah is so great as not to suit our convenience.
We therefore solicit your aid in carrying our plan into execution. We
can raise twenty, or perhaps twenty-five children. You will please
write us immediately on the receipt of this. Given under our hands,
this 16th of February 1820.”
In consequence of this request, the Rev. Daniel S. Butrick, who had
acquired some knowledge of the Cherokee language, left Brainerd for
Creek-Path, on the 11th of March, and, at a place about two miles from
Mr. Brown’s residence, the natives having erected a convenient house
for the purpose, he soon after opened a school, under very favourable
auspices.
Mr. Butrick was accompanied and much assisted by John Arch, a converted
Cherokee of good promise, whose name has already been mentioned. This
young man was born and bred among the mountains, near the confines of
South Carolina, in the most ignorant part of the nation. Happening to
be at Knoxville, Tenn. in December 1818, he saw Mr. Hall, who informed
him of the school at Chickamaugah. Returning home, he took his gun,
and set off in search of the place. After travelling a hundred and
fifty miles, he arrived at the station, told the missionaries he had
come to attend the school, and offered them his gun, which was his
only property, for clothes. We are informed his appearance was so
wild and forbidding, that the missionaries hesitated to receive him,
especially as he was supposed to be not less than twenty years of age.
But he would not be refused. They took him upon trial. It was not
long before he discovered an anxious solicitude respecting his soul,
and soon gave the most satisfactory evidence of piety. His thirst for
knowledge was ardent, and his application and proficiency in learning
were gratifying. In ten months he could read and write well. Sometime
after he became serious, he was falsely accused, by some one of his
schoolmates, of doing an improper act. Conscious of innocence, he could
not well brook the charge. That evening and night he was missing, and
the next morning it was concluded that he had absconded. But in the
course of the forenoon, he made his appearance. On being questioned
respecting his absence, he made this reply: “I felt angry, and knew
that it was wicked. But I could not suppress it. I therefore went to
seek the Saviour, that he might reconcile my heart.” It appeared,
that he had spent the night in devotional exercises. He was at length
admitted to the church, and, from that day to the present, has
sustained a good Christian character. He has been much employed as an
interpreter, both at the different stations, and in the evangelical
labours of the missionaries in various parts of the nation.
While Mr. Butrick was prosecuting his incipient labours at Creek-Path,
Catharine and David were employing themselves diligently at Brainerd.
Once, in particular, it is recorded, that, after a prayer-meeting,
conducted by the missionaries, these two young Cherokees, aided by a
pious Indian woman of great age, collected a little group of their
people, who had come to spend the Sabbath there, and held a religious
conference, with prayer and praise, all in the Cherokee language.
These united labours were, however, interrupted, on the 11th of May,
never to be resumed, by the departure of David for the Foreign Mission
School in Cornwall, Conn. He left Brainerd only a few days after his
admission to the church.
David had been desirous, for some time, of being fitted to preach
the Gospel to his countrymen, and was encouraged to aim at such
a preparation, first by his sister Catharine, and then by the
missionaries. He arrived at Cornwall, sometime in the summer; was
connected with that highly favoured school about two years; was then
removed to Andover, Mass. where he remained a year, and, without
becoming a member of the Theological Institution in that place, enjoyed
many of its distinguished advantages. In consequence of the state of
his health, and of the great need of his services among those of his
countrymen, who reside in the Arkansas country, he returned to them,
early in the year 1824. The addresses, which he delivered in many of
our principal towns and cities, on the wrongs and claims and prospects
of the American Indians, will not soon be forgotten by those who
listened to them.
Since his return, a letter has been received, by the Corresponding
Secretary of the American Board, which, coming from one so nearly
related to Catharine, and giving an amiable view of her family, will
interest the reader.
_Point Pleasant, Arkansas, Sept. 20, 1824._
Dear Sir,
Long before this time, you must have heard of my speedy passage from
Washington City to Arkansas, and of my delightful and joyful meeting
with my brethren and kindred according to the flesh. My father and
mother embraced me with tears. We were unable to converse, for more
than an hour: our mutual joy was so great, that we could not speak
for some time. My friends ran as far as they could see me, in order
to meet me, and embrace me. The scene was somewhat similar to that of
Jacob meeting with his beloved son Joseph.
I was glad to find so much religious feeling among my friends. My
parents are very useful in this country, by making known to others
the way of salvation. Since my arrival I have had no rest. My
friends and relatives are so numerous, that I am constantly on a
visit. Dwight, and the residence of my brother Webber, I have made
my homes. At Dwight I have all my books. On the Sabbath, I interpret
English sermons, and sometimes preach myself in the sweet language of
_Tsállakee_, [the Cherokee.] Never were there greater prospects of
success among the Cherokees, than at present.
I expect to revisit my mother-country soon, on my father’s business,
and once more to be at Brainerd, and Creek-Path, beneath the tall
trees of _Tsu-saw-ya-wa-sah_. In November and December please to
write me at Brainerd, and inform me whether the Board can send us a
printer, who is accomplished in his art. Pray send us one.
My fond remembrance to your family. Time and distance can never erase
from my bosom the marks of friendship and attention I received in
Boston.
DAVID BROWN.
About the time of David’s departure for New England, Mr. Butrick’s
school, at Creek-Path, had so increased in the number of its scholars,
that there was no more room for the admission of other applicants. The
people therefore desired another school. They said, if a female would
come to instruct their daughters, they would build a school-house
for her. At the same time, it was evident, that a spirit of deep
seriousness and anxious inquiry was beginning to prevail among them.
These facts being known at Brainerd, the missionaries thought it their
duty to advise Catharine to go and take charge of the contemplated
school. In this advice she acquiesced, though not without a painful
diffidence of her qualifications for such a service. When it was known
at Creek-Path, that she was to take charge of the school, the most
enthusiastic joy was occasioned among the people. They seemed to feel,
that the preparations could not be made too soon. Not less than fifty
Cherokee men, besides negroes and boys, assembled immediately to build
a house, which, in two days, was nearly completed according to their
stipulation.
Every thing being in readiness, Mr. Brown came for his daughter. She
was at Taloney, the missionary station where her friends Mr. and
Mrs. Hall resided, and he waited at Brainerd for her return; during
which time it was perceived, that the venerable old man was anxiously
inquiring after the truth. On the last of May 1820, a little less
than two years and eleven months from her first entering the school,
as an untaught heathen girl, Catharine bade an affectionate adieu to
Brainerd, to take charge of the school for females near her paternal
home. The following entry was made at this time, in the journal of the
mission.
“31. Catharine left us, in company with her father, to go to
Creek-Path, to teach a school of females.
“How very different the scene from that, which passed here not quite
two years since, when her father required her to leave the society
of Christians, and to accompany him to the then dark shades of the
Arkansas! Now, he does not ask her without our consent; will not take
her except by our advice; and she is going, not into the wilderness
unprepared to teach, but into a place where divine light has already
begun to spring up, prepared, as we think, to instruct others. Yet,
it is highly probable, that this removal will not be productive of so
much good as the former. So unsearchable are the ways of God, and so
incompetent is man to judge. It now appears, that her first removal was
the means of sowing the seed, which is now springing up at Creek-Path
with such hopeful promise.”
The remaining letters written during the period embraced by this
chapter, will now be inserted. The first was originally published at
the close of the narrative of the “Little Osage Captive.”
TO A LADY IN CONNECTICUT.
_Brainerd, Jan. 12, 1820._
Dear Sister in Christ,
I thank you much for your affectionate letter, which I received on
the 23d of December. O, how great, how rich is the mercy of our
dear Redeemer, who has made us the subjects of his kingdom, and led
us, as we trust from death unto life. My dear sister, I can never
express my gratitude to God, for his goodness towards me, and my dear
people. Surely it is of _his own glorious mercy_, that he is sending
to us the Gospel of the Lord Jesus, in this distant land, where the
people had long set in darkness, and were perishing for lack of
the knowledge of God. Blessed be his holy name! O my sister let us
rejoice continually in our Lord and Saviour, and as we have put on
Christ, not only by outward profession, but by inward and spiritual
union, let us walk worthy of our high and holy vocation, and shew
the world, that there is something in true religion. And may the
Lord give us strength to do his will, and to follow continually the
example of our meek and lowly Jesus. I thank you for the present you
sent me, which I received as a token of love. The mission family are
all well, and also the dear children. Many of them are serious, and
we hope they love and pray to God daily. O that I were more engaged
for God, to promote his cause, among these dear children, and my
people. I am going soon to visit my parents, which is an hundred
miles from here, and expect to stay two months. I hope you will pray
for me, that the Lord would bless my visit, and renew the hearts of
my dear parents.
Your sincere friend and sister in Christ,
CATHARINE BROWN.
* * * * *
TO MRS. ISABELLA HALL, AT TALONEY.
_Brainerd, March 8, 1820._
My dear Sister,
It is with pleasure I take time this morning to assure you, that my
love for you is still as great as ever. You cannot tell how painful
it was to me to hear that you had been sick. But we know, that the
Lord is good, and that all things will work together for good to
those who love him, and put their whole trust in him. O could we see
each other, how would we talk, and weep, and sing, and pray together.
But our Heavenly Father has separated us. Perhaps we loved each other
more than we loved him, and did not pray to him, and praise him, and
thank him, as we ought to have done. And is it not so, dear sister?
Did we not neglect our duty, and grow cold and careless, when we were
together? Now we are sorry, and the Lord will forgive us. Still, dear
sister, we can pray for each other. Think you not that our prayers
often meet at the throne of grace? O then let us pray on, and never
cease to pray for each other, while he lends us breath; and when we
meet in heaven, we shall see him whom our soul loveth.
Let us praise the Lord for what he is doing. My dear brother David
is now rejoicing in his blessed Redeemer. He has a great desire to
do good among our people. I expect he will leave us, in two or three
weeks, for Cornwall, to study divinity, and prepare to preach the
Gospel of Jesus Christ. I do hope and pray that the Lord will go with
him, and enable him to do much good in the world.
He and myself spent seven weeks with our dear parents, and returned
to school the last week. I hope to continue here some time longer,
but know not how long. My dear mother feels that she cannot spare me
much longer, I wish to learn as much as I can, before I go.
And now, my dear sister, may we both be faithful to our Lord, and do
much in the world. And when time with us shall be no more, may we be
permitted to meet in that world, where Christians will be collected
to sing through eternity the song of Moses and the Lamb.
From your sister
CATHARINE BROWN.
* * * * *
TO HER BROTHER DAVID,
While on his way to New England.
_Brainerd, May 16, 1820._
My very dear Brother,
I cannot express my feelings this evening, when I read your kind
letter. My heart is full. But we know, dear brother, that our
Saviour orders all things right. I am very sorry to hear that you
have lost your horse. What will you do now? But let us not be
troubled about these things. If it is best that you should go on,
the Saviour will provide for you in some way. Let us only, my dear
brother, put our whole trust in God, and be humble at the feet of
Jesus. We can do nothing of ourselves. We are like little children.
If we rely on our own strength, we shall fall.
It is impossible for me to express what I felt, the morning you
left us. But I thought, that if I should never see you again in
this world, I should meet you in a better, where there will be no
separation. O how thankful we ought to be to God, who has brought us
from darkness into the light of the Gospel.
But many of our dear people are yet deprived of this great privilege.
They know not the Saviour, whom we have found so precious. Yes,
even our dear parents are yet living without any hope in God. O my
brother, let us never cease to pray for them. God will surely hear
us, if we ask in faith.
Dear brother, forget me not in your prayers. Your sister C. will
never forget you. When you are far from this place, your poor sister
C. will be praying for you. Good night, dear brother, till we meet
again.
CATHARINE BROWN.
FOOTNOTES:
[7] Any person who had witnessed the separation of Mrs. Williams from
her Cherokee friends, when she and her husband left Brainerd and set
out for the Choctaw mission in May 1818, could well understand the
affectionate expressions in this letter. When the boat was ready to
proceed, and the hour of parting had arrived; when Mr. Cornelius had
made the last prayer, and the last hymn had been sung; Catharine was
among those who seemed ready to sink under a burden of grief too great
to be borne. Mrs. Williams had always been peculiarly dear to her from
their first acquaintance, and, like an older sister, had guided her
youthful steps in the paths of peace.
[8] Now called Carmel.