THE LIBRARY OF THE 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF 
 
 NORTH CAROLINA 
 
 THE COLLECTION OF 
 NORTH CAROLINIANA 
 
 ENDOWED BY 
 
 JOHN SPRUNT HILL 
 
 CLASS OF 1889 
 
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 CATHARINE BROWN, 
 
 ehrCstfan Ktftfan 
 
 CHEROKEE NATION. 
 
 BY RUFUS ANDERSON, A. M. 
 
 Assistaiit Secretary of the American Board of Commissioners 
 for Foreign Missions. 
 
 BOSTON: 
 
 SAMUEL T. ARMSTRONG, AND CROCKER AND BREWSTER. 
 
 NEW JORK: JOHN P. HAVEN. 
 
 1825. 
 
DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS, to wit: 
 District Clerk's Office. 
 BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the twentieth day of December, 
 A.D. 1824, in the forty-ninth year of the Independence of the United 
 Stares of America, Samuel T. Armstrong, of the said District, has 
 deposited in this office the title of a book, the right whereof he claims 
 as Proprietor, in the words following, to wit: 
 
 "Memoir of Catharine Brown, a Christian Indian of the Cherokee 
 nation. By Rufus Anderson, A. M, Assistant Secretary of the 
 American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions." 
 
 In Conformity to the Act of the Congress of the United States, 
 intitled, "An act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the 
 copies of maps, charts and books, to the authors and proprietors of 
 such copies, during the times therein mentioned;" and also to an act, 
 intitled, "An act supplementary to an act, intitled, An act for the 
 encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of maps, charts 
 and books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies during the 
 times therein mentioned; and extending the benefits thereof to the 
 arts of designing, engraving and etching historical, and oth> r prints." 
 
 .IKO. W. DAVIS, 
 Clerk of the District of Massachusetts. 
 
mm 
 
 This Memoir was commenced as a 
 biographical article for the Mission- 
 ary Herald. In its progress, however, 
 the materials were found to be so 
 abundant, as to suggest the inquiry 
 whether a distinct publication were 
 not expedient. 
 
 Such a publication being advised, 
 by the Prudential Committee of the 
 Board of Missions, it is now respect- 
 fully offered to those who feel inter- 
 ested in the success of missionary 
 efforts. 
 
 The author is not conscious of hav- 
 ing exaggerated a single fact, nor of 
 
IV PREFACE. 
 
 having made a single statement not 
 drawn from authentic documents. His 
 object has been to give a plain and true 
 exhibition of the life and character of 
 a very interesting convert from hea- 
 thenism. 
 
 The hope is cherished, that this 
 little volume will augment the courage, 
 animate the zeal, and invigorate the 
 efforts, of the friends of missions, in 
 their benevolent attempts to send the 
 Gospel of Jesus Christ to all nations. 
 
 Missionary Booms, 
 
 Boston, Mass. Dec. 1824. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 HER HISTORY UNTIL SHE ENTERED THE 
 MISSION SCHOOL AT BRAINERD. 
 
 Her nativity. — Notice of her parents. — Igno- 
 rance of her people. — Her triumph over 
 temptation. — A missionary station commenc- 
 ed at Chickamaugah, and named Brainerd. 
 — She becomes a member of the school, - 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 FROM HER ENTERING THE SCHOOL AT 
 BRAINERD, UNTIL HER REMOVAL ET HER 
 PARENTS. 
 
 Her appearance when she entered the school. 
 — Her diligence and progress. — Her relig- 
 ious knowledge. — Character of her teachers, 
 
'1 CONTENTS . 
 
 — Her conversion, and solicitude for her peo- 
 ple. — Instance of earnest prayer. — Prospect 
 of her removal. — Her baptism. — Temporary 
 absence. — Admission to the church. — The 
 early success at Brainerd uncommon. — The 
 chief obstacles to success among the Indians. 
 — Visit of the Treasurer of the American 
 Board. — His account of the school, and 
 description of Catharine. — She is removed 
 from Brainerd. — Is visited by one of the 
 
 missionaries. Letters from her to her 
 
 friends, ------- 19 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 FROM HER RETURN TO BRAINERD, UNTIL 
 SHE TAKES CHARGE OE 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, ------- 50 
 
CONTENTS . Til 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 FROM HER TAKING CHARGE OE A SCHOOL AT 
 CREEK-PATH, UNTIL HER SICKNESS. 
 
 Extracts from her diary. — Her school. — Con- 
 version of her parents, and others of the 
 family. — She and her family visit Brainerd. 
 — Letter from the chiefs at Creek-Path. — 
 Traits in Catharine's character. — Further 
 extracts from her diary. — Eulogium of her 
 brother John. — She visits Huntsville. — Esti- 
 mation in which she was there held. — Goes 
 to reside with her parents. — Apprehensions 
 respecting her health. — Goes to Brainerd for 
 medical aid. — Returns. — Letters to different 
 friends, .-----.- 77 
 
 CHAPTER 
 
 HER SICKNESS AND DEATH 
 
 V - 
 
 Brief agitations of her mind. — Her love for her 
 people. — Is visited by Dr. Campbell. — Let- 
 ter to Mrs. Campbell. — Alarming symptom 
 in her disease. — Her resignation and conso- 
 lations. — Dr. Campbell advises her removal 
 to Limestone. — State of her mind at this 
 time. — Strong manifestations of affection for 
 her at Creek-Path. — Account of her removal. 
 — Temporary improvement in her health. — 
 
7111 CONTENTS. 
 
 Dictates a letter to her brother David. — 
 Hopes of her recovery relinquished. — This 
 fact stated to her father and herself. — Her 
 last hours, death, and burial. — Monument 
 over her grave, ----- 126 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 HER CHARACTER. 
 
 Her mental characteristics. — Her attainments 
 in intellectual and moral science. — Changes 
 in her affections. — Her Christian conduct. — 
 
 conclusion. The excellencies in her 
 
 character a result of missionary labour. — 
 How much can be made of the Indian 
 character. — Grounds of encouragement. — 
 Importance of present efforts. — Civilization 
 never precedes Christianity. — The life of 
 Catharine an appeal to the community. - 150 
 
MEMOIR 
 
 OF 
 
 CATHARINE BROWN 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 HER HISTORY UNTIL SHE ENTERED THE MISSION 
 SCHOOL AT BRAINERD. 
 
 Her nativity. — Notice of her parents. — Condi- 
 tion of her people. — Her triumph over temp- 
 tation. — A missionary station commenced at 
 Chickamaugah) and named Brainerd. — She 
 becomes a member of the school. 
 
 Catharine Brown was born about the year 
 1800, The place of her nativity was a beau- 
 tiful plain, covered with tall forest trees, in a 
 part of the country belonging to the Chero- 
 kee Indians, which is now called Wills- Valley, 
 and is within the chartered limits of the State 
 
10 MEMOIR OF 
 
 of Alabama. It is between the Raccoon and 
 Lookout mountains, twenty-five miles south- 
 east of the Tennessee river. David, the 
 brother of Catharine, says, that the name, by 
 which the place is known among his country- 
 men, is Tsu-sau-ya-sah, or the ruins of a great 
 city. But, if such ruins ever existed, all traces 
 of them have long since disappeared. 
 
 The Indian name of Catharine's father, is 
 Yau-nu-gung-yah-ski, which signifies the drown- 
 ed by a bear. He is, however, known among 
 the whites by the name of John Brown. The 
 Cherokee name of her mother is Tsa-luh. The 
 whites call her Sarah. — Neither of Catharine's 
 parents understand the English language. 
 They are now about sixty years of age. 
 Since the decease of the daughter, whose 
 history and character are to form the subject 
 of this memoir, they have removed beyond 
 the Mississippi river, to the Arkansas Terri- 
 tory, whither a part of the Cherokee nation 
 of Indians have emigrated, within the last 
 fifteen or twenty years.* 
 
 * A more particular account of the family of Catharine, may 
 be acceptable to the reader. 
 
 Mr. John Brown was the son of a man named Brown, who has 
 long been dead. It is not known whether he was a white man, or 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 11 
 
 Mr. Brown is represented as possessing a 
 mind more than commonly discerning - ; yet as 
 having, when the missionaries first saw him, 
 but tew ideas on the subject of religion. 
 He believed in a Supreme Being, the author 
 of the visible creation, and that there is a 
 
 partly Indian. The mother of Mr. Brown was a "fuli-blooded" 
 Cherokee. So, also, was the mother of Mrs. Brown; but her father 
 was white. Catharine's parents were brought up like others of 
 their nation;— no better acquainted with the language, religion, 
 manners, or customs of the \\ hite people, 
 
 Mr. Brown has had thrt^ wives. The first had two children, 
 neither of whom are living. One of these children became a man of 
 much distinction. In the Creek war he had the title of Colonel, as 
 he commanded a large number of Cherokees, who made a part «f 
 the army under General Jackson. He was severely wounded at the 
 battle of the Horse-shoe; but recovered, and died subsequent!} of a 
 fever, or consumption. He is said to have possessed uncommon 
 powers of mind, and to have exerted much influence among his 
 people. He is familiarly referred to by the name of Col. Dick 
 Bro-ivn. 
 
 The children of Sarah, the second and present wife of Mr. Brown, 
 were Jo/in, who died in the Christian faith, February 1822, leaving 
 a widow, Susannah, who is a professor of religion; Catharine, tire 
 subject of this memoir; and David, of whose piety hopes have been 
 entertained for almost five years. 
 
 The children of the third wife, named IVottee, or Betsey, who, for 
 some years, has been living in the Arkansas Territory, are Polly, (or 
 Mrs. Gilbreth,) Alexander, Susan, and Edmund. Polly and Susan 
 are esteemed pious. 
 
 Sarah and Betsey lived with Mr. Brown at the same time. But 
 lonu. difficulty arising, the latter separated from him. 
 
 Sarah was the wife of a man named Webber, before she married 
 Mr. Brown. The children, by this marriage, are Bet sey, (now Mrs, 
 
12 MEMOIR OF 
 
 state of rewards and punishments, after the 
 present life; and appeared conscious, that 
 there were things implied in this short creed, 
 of which he had no distinct apprehension; 
 such as the character of the Supreme Being, 
 the nature of the rewards and punishments, 
 
 Looney,) a professor of religion, and Walter, called Col. Webber. He 
 was at Washington city, about two years since, and possesses a 
 handsome property. These children were quite young, when their 
 father died. Col. Webber is now about tliirty-five years old. 
 
 It appears, therefore, that of Mr. Brown's family no less than nine 
 have become hopefally pious, within the last seven years, viz. Mr. 
 and Mrs. Brown, John, Catharine, David, Polly, Susan, Susannah, 
 and Mrs. Looney. 
 
 The reader will be apt to infer, when he sees individuals called 
 by names and title:, with which he is familiar, that they are very 
 much like other individuals, whom he has known under similar 
 titles; in short, that they are civilized and intelligent persons. Such 
 an inference, however, is not warranted. The mere possession of 
 an English name, in an Indian country, is no evidence that the per- 
 son thus distinguished is able to speak the English language; much 
 less, that his habits are those of ci~ilized life, or that his mind has 
 been in any degree cultivated. 
 
 As to the military titles of captain, major, colonel, and even gen- 
 eral, they are conferred as a matter of courtesy, in consequence of 
 some sort of undefined authority, which is exercised over others, 
 and which is supposed to bear some distant analogy to the authority, 
 implied in these titles, among us. Of course, the titles are conferred 
 by the whites. In some instances, vhea Indian auxiliaries have 
 been employed in active warfare, by European governments, or by 
 the United States, individuals may have received regular commis- 
 sions. Mr. Brown and his son John, were both denominated Cap- 
 tain. 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 13 
 
 and the manner in which the one is to be 
 obtained, and the other avoided. He seemed 
 to have no notion of forgiveness of sin upon 
 any terms. When told of these things, he 
 said he had never heard of them before. 
 
 Concerning the mother, less is known to the 
 writer of this memoir. Her religious knowl- 
 edge, if equal to that of her husband, did not 
 probably exceed it. She is represented as 
 having been more attentive to neatness and 
 good order, in the internal arrangements of 
 the family, and more conversant with the 
 duties of domestic life, than her countrywomen 
 generally. 
 
 Ignorant as were the parents of Catharine, 
 on the most important subjects, they were 
 among the more intelligent class of their peo- 
 ple. Till within a few years, the Chero- 
 kees had scarcely begun to feel an impulse 
 towards civilization. Indeed, as a nation, they 
 were almost entirely destitute of the means 
 of intellectual, or moral culture. In a very 
 few instances, a youth was sent to school in 
 the white settlements, bordering on the Indian 
 territory; and still more rarely, perhaps, an 
 outcast from civilized society would undertake 
 
14 MEMOIR OF 
 
 for a short time, and from interested, and 
 probably sinister motives, to instruct among 
 the natives. In 1801, a Moravian mission 
 was established at what is now called Spring- 
 place, and one or two excellent men have, 
 since that period, resided there. But, their 
 means having been limited, their influence 
 could not be extensive. Very commendable 
 exertions, in support of a school among the 
 Cherokees, were also made, for a few years 
 subsequent to 1803, by the Rev. Gideon 
 Blackburn. 
 
 Excepting these efforts, there was, until 
 the year 1816, nothing done for the Chero- 
 kees by the Christian church, nothing by the 
 civilized world. They inhabited a country, 
 which is described as susceptible of the high- 
 est cultivation. But most imperfect was their 
 agriculture. They possessed a language, that 
 is said to be more precise and powerful, than 
 any, into which learning has poured richness 
 of thought, or genius breathed the enchant- 
 ments of fancy and eloquence. But they had 
 no literature. Not a book existed in the lan- 
 guage. The fountains of knowledge were 
 unopened. The mind made no progress. 
 
CATHARLN'E BfcOWN. 15 
 
 After these statements, the reader will be 
 preparer] to credit what will be said, in the 
 progress of this memoir, respecting Catha- 
 rine^ intellectual condition, when she first 
 came under the care of the missionaries." 
 
 It is pleasing to observe here, that her mor- 
 al character was ever irreproachable. This 
 is the msre remarkable, considering the loose- 
 ness of manners then prevalent among the 
 females of her nation, and the temptations to 
 which she was exposed, when, during the war 
 with the Creek Indians, the army of the Unit- 
 ed States was stationed near her father's res- 
 idence. Were it proper to narrate some well 
 authenticated facts, with reference to this 
 part of her history, the mind of the reader 
 would be filled with admiration of her heroic 
 virtue, and especially of the protecting care 
 of Providence. Once she even forsook her 
 home, and fled into the wild forest, to pre- 
 serve her character unsullied.* 
 
 * "I was pleased to find," says a friend, "that General Jackson, 
 (who commanded in the war with the Creeks,) had a high opinion 
 of Catharine. In the course of our conversation he remarked, S!tf 
 was a woman of Roman virtue, and above suspicion. ," 
 
16 MEMOIR OP 
 
 These occurrences took place before the 
 establishment of a school at Brainerd, while 
 Catharine was young, ignorant of the world, 
 without any clear views of morality, and des- 
 titute of the knowledge and love of God. 
 Strange that so great a sense of character 
 should then have influenced her resolutions! 
 But she was a chosen vessel of mercy, and a 
 hand, which she then knew not, was doubt- 
 less extended for her preservation. 
 
 Early in the autumn of 1816, a missionary, 
 sent by the American Board of Commissioners 
 for Foreign Missions, made his appearance in 
 a general Council of the Cherokees, and of- 
 fered to establish schools among them. His 
 offer was favourably received. After consul- 
 tation, a principal chief came forward, took 
 him by the hand, and said: "You have ap- 
 peared in our full Council. We have listened 
 to what you have said, and understand it. 
 We are glad to see you. We wish to have 
 the schools established, and hope they will be 
 of great advantage to the nation." This mis- 
 sionary was the Rev. Cyrus Kingsbury, who, 
 after commencing and aiding in the formation 
 of the first establishment of the Board among 
 
CATHARINE BROWN- 17 
 
 the Cherokees, took up his residence among 
 the Choctaws, was the chief agent in forming 
 the stations of Elliot and Mayhew, and is now 
 the superintendent of the Choctaw mission. 
 
 The place selected for the first school, was 
 then called Chickamaugah; but it subsequent- 
 ly received the name of Brainerd, in mem- 
 ory of David Brainerd, that devoted friend 
 and benefactor of the American Indians, who 
 stands pre-eminent among modern missiona- 
 ries.* Early in the following spring, Mr. 
 Moody Hall and Mr. Loring S. Williams, with 
 their wives, arrived as assistant missionaries; 
 and, soon after their arrival, a school was 
 opened, with fair prospects of success. 
 
 Information of these proceedings soon 
 spread through the nation. It came to the 
 ears of Catharine, then living at the distance 
 of a hundred miles, and excited in her a de- 
 sire to attend the school. She besought her 
 
 * Brainerd is situated within the chattered limits of Tennessee, on 
 the Chickamaugah creek; two miles north of the line of Georgia; 
 seven miles south-east of Tennessee river; two hundred and fifty 
 north-west of Augusta in Geo.; one hundred and fifty south-east of 
 Nashville, and one hundred and ten south-west of Knoxville, both 
 in Tennessee. 
 
18 MEMOIR OF 
 
 parents to send her, and they granted her re- 
 quest, Accordingly, on the 9th of July 1817, 
 when she was about seventeen or eighteen 
 years of age, she became a member of the 
 missionary school at Brainerd. 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 FROM HER ENTERING THE SCHOOL AT BRAINERD, 
 UNTIL HER REMOVAL EY HER PARENTS. 
 
 Her appearance, when she entered the school. — 
 Her diligence and progress. — Her religious 
 knowledge. — Character of her teachers. — Her 
 conversion, and solicitude for her people. — 
 Instance of earnest prayer — Prospect of her 
 removal. — Her baptism. — Temporary absence. 
 — Admission to the church. — The early suc- 
 cess at Brainerd uncommon. — The chief 
 obstacles to success among the Indians. — 
 Visit, of the Treasurer of the American Board. 
 — His accovM of the school, and description 
 of Catharine. — She is removed from Brain- 
 erd.— Is visited by one of the missionaries. — 
 Letters to her friends. 
 
 Catharine was of the middle stature, erect, 
 of comely features, and blooming complexion; 
 and, even at this time, she was easy in her 
 
20 MEMOIR OF 
 
 manners, and modest and prepossessing in 
 her demeanour. 
 
 "It was, however, manifest," says Mr. 
 Kingsbury, "that, with all her gentleness and 
 apparent modesty, she had a high opinion of 
 herself, and was fond of displaying the cloth- 
 ing and ornaments, in which she was arrayed. 
 At our first interview, I was impressed with 
 the idea, that her feelings would not easily 
 yield to the discipline of our schools, espe- 
 cially to that part of it, which requires man- 
 ual labour of the scholars. This objection I 
 freely stated to her, and requested that, if she 
 felt any difficulty on the subject, she would 
 seek admission to some other school. She 
 replied, that she had no objection to our reg- 
 ulations. I advised her to take the subject 
 into consideration, and to obtain what infor- 
 mation she could, relative to the treatment 
 of the scholars, and if she then felt a desire 
 to become a member of the school, we would 
 receive her. 
 
 "She joined the school, and the event has 
 shewn, that it was of the Lord, to the end 
 that his name might be glorified. I have 
 often reflected, with adoring gratitude and 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 21 
 
 thankfulness, on the good providence, which 
 conducted that interesting young female to 
 Brainerd, and which guided her inquiring and 
 anxious mind to the Saviour of sinners." 
 
 Sometime before this, it is not known pre- 
 cisely how long, while residing at the house 
 of a Cherokee friend, she had learned to speak 
 the English language, and had acquired, also, 
 a knowledge of the letters of the alphabet. 
 She could even read in words of one syllable. 
 These acquisitions, which were of no par- 
 ticular service at the time they were made, 
 are to be noticed with gratitude to God, as 
 the probable means of leading her to Brain- 
 erd. They excited desires, which she could 
 gratify no where else. 
 
 Her teachers declare, that, from her first 
 admission to the school, she was attentive to 
 her learning, industrious in her habits, and 
 remarkably correct in her deportment. From 
 reading in words of one syllable, she was able, 
 in sixty days, to read intelligibly in the Bible, 
 and, in ninety days, could read as well as most 
 persons of common education. After writ- 
 ing over four sheets of paper, she could use 
 3 
 
22 MEMOIR OF 
 
 the pen with accuracy and neatness, eveis 
 without a cop}'. 
 
 From the testimony of different persons it 
 appears, that, when she entered the school, 
 her knowledge on religious subjects was ex- 
 ceedingly vague and defective. Her ideas 
 of God extended little further than the con- 
 templation of him as a great Being, existing 
 somewhere in the sky; and her conceptions 
 of a future state were quite undefined. Of 
 the Saviour of the world, she had no knowl- 
 edge. She supposed, that the Cherokees 
 were a different race from the whites, and 
 therefore had no concern in the white peo- 
 ple's religion; and it was some time before 
 she could be convinced, that Jesus Christ 
 came into the world to die for the Cherokees. 
 She has been known, also, to remark, subse- 
 quently to her conversion, that she was much 
 afraid, when she first heard of religion; for 
 she thought Christians could have no pleas- 
 ure in this world, and that, if she became 
 religious, she too should be rendered unhappy. 
 How much her opinions and sentiments on 
 this subject were, in a short time, changed., 
 will abundantly appear as we proceed. 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 23 
 
 That the reader may be duly sensible of 
 the singleness of heart and Christian devot- 
 edness of the men, under whose instruction 
 this interesting female had placed herself, he 
 is informed, that, not long- after her intro- 
 duction to them, they adopted the following 
 resolution, which developes an economical 
 principle, carried through all the missions to 
 the Indians, under the direction of the Amer- 
 ican Board of Commissioners for Foreign 
 Missions. — "That, as God in his providence 
 has called us to labour in the great and good 
 work of building up his kingdom among the 
 Aborigines of this country, a work peculiarly 
 arduous, and which will be attended with 
 much expense; and above all, considering 
 that we have solemnly devoted ourselves, and 
 all that we have, to the prosecution of this 
 work; we declare it to be our cordial, delib- 
 erate, and fixed resolution, that, so far as it 
 respects our future labours, or any compen- 
 sation for them, we will have no private 
 interests distinct from the great interests of 
 this institution. And, that if it meets the 
 views of the Prudential Committee, we will 
 receive no other compensation for our ser- 
 
24 MEMOIR OF 
 
 vices, than a comfortable supply of food and 
 clothing for ourselves and families, and such 
 necessary expenses as our peculiar circum- 
 stances may require; observing at all times 
 that frugality and economy, which our duty 
 to the Christian public and the great Head 
 of the Church demands." 
 
 Catharine had been in the school but a very 
 few months, before divine truth began to 
 exert an influence upon her mind. This was 
 manifested in an increased desire to become 
 acquainted with the Christian religion, and in 
 a greater sobriety of manners. A tender- 
 ness of spirit, moreover, was, at the same 
 time, observed in several others. 
 
 Such was the state of things, when the 
 Rev. Elias Cornelius, then acting as an agent 
 of the American Board, made his first visit to 
 Brainerd. His conversation and preaching 
 had considerable effect on the Cherokees, and 
 on the white people in the neighbourhood of 
 the station. On the last Sabbath of his 
 preaching, which was the first Sabbath in 
 November 1817, four persons were much 
 affected during the service, among whom 
 was Catharine. It is proper to add, that she 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 
 
 JS5 
 
 did not seem, at any time, to be greatly 
 influenced by a fear of the punishment threat- 
 ened against sin. Her chief object of solici- 
 tude seemed rather to be, that she might know 
 the will of God, and do it. She appeared to 
 seek the kingdom of heaven with great earn- 
 estness, and spent much time in reading the 
 Scriptures, singing, and prayer, and was often 
 affected to tears. Her whole deportment, as 
 a member of the mission family, is repre- 
 sented as having been unexceptionable. 
 
 In December, she indulged a hope, that 
 she had been pardoned and accepted, through 
 the Lord Jesus Christ. And it is no small 
 proof of the excellent practical tendency of 
 her religion, that, of her own accord, she 
 very soon began to pray with her associates, 
 and to assist in teaching the Lord's Prayer 
 and the catechism to the younger girls in the 
 school. 
 
 The Rev. William Chamberlain, now re- 
 siding at a missionary station called Wills- 
 town, not far from the place of her nativity, 
 states, that, after the interesting period just 
 mentioned, her desires for the salvation of 
 tier people, were strong and ardent. She 
 
26 MEMOIR OF 
 
 wept and prayed for them, in secret places, 
 as well as in the company of her female 
 friends at their weekly prayer-meetings. 
 Among the rest, the case of her brother 
 David, then on the Arkansas river, was 
 specially interesting. One morning, having 
 retired to the neighbouring woods for devo- 
 tion, she became so deeply engaged in prayer 
 for this dear brother, that the time passed 
 insensibly, and she remained in her sacred 
 retreat till the sun was near setting. She 
 had been favoured with unusual nearness of 
 access to her heavenly Father, and returned 
 home with an humble confidence, that He 
 would fully answer her prayers. After David 
 had gone to New England to complete his 
 education, having previously given satisfac- 
 tory evidence of piety, she related these facts 
 to a confidential friend, and said she wished 
 to remember them with gratitude. 
 
 Catharine is regarded as the first, who was 
 hopefully converted from among the Indians, 
 by means of the missionaries sent out by the 
 American Board of Missions. It may well be 
 supposed, therefore, considering her amiable 
 manners and promising character, that she 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 27 
 
 was dear to them all. How painful, then, 
 must have been any prospect of her removal 
 into the western wilderness, where she would 
 behold no pious example, and hear no moni- 
 tory voice; and this, too, at the commence- 
 ment of her Christian career, before her re- 
 ligious knowledge and habits were matured. 
 
 At the commencement of the year 1318, 
 her father came to take her home. He ex- 
 pressed entire satisfaction with the treatment, 
 which she had received at the school; but 
 said he contemplated removing beyond the 
 Mississippi, and wished to have her with 
 him. This intimation was not less painful to 
 Catharine, than it was to the missionaries; 
 but it came under circumstances, which seem- 
 ed to demand an acquiescence. "Perhaps," 
 said her teachers and spiritual guides, "the 
 Lord is taking her from us, that she may be 
 more useful in promoting his cause in some 
 other place." We shall see, ere long, that 
 they ultimately found occasion to give praise 
 to God, not only on account of the brief 
 separation, which now took place, but also 
 for the more painful separation, which hap- 
 pened in the latter part of the same year. 
 
2S MEMOIR OF 
 
 Catharine desired to receive, before her 
 departure, the seal of the covenant of grace, 
 in the holy ordinance of baptism. As no 
 reasonable doubt could be entertained of her 
 piety, her request was cheerfully granted. 
 On the 25th of January, Mr. Kingsbury 
 preached from Gal. iii, 28, on the fellowship 
 of those, who are in Christ, of whatever 
 colour, or nation. The assembly was unusu- 
 ally large and solemn. After the sermon 
 and a prayer, the sacred ordinance was 
 administered to the deeply affected convert. 
 She was the first Indian baptized by the mis- 
 sionaries of the Board. This event occurred 
 about eight months after the opening of the 
 school at Brainerd. Since then, about one 
 hundred adult Cherokees have received the 
 same ordinance, preparatory to admission to 
 the visible church. 
 
 The month of February was spent by 
 Catharine at her father's house. But, cir- 
 cumstances conspiring to prevent an immedi- 
 ate execution of the purpose to remove to 
 the Arkansas country, she was, to the no 
 small satisfaction of herself and the mission 
 family, permitted to revisit Brainerd, and 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 2§ 
 
 continue there a few months longer, before 
 commencing her undesired journey. While 
 at home, she had been closely questioned, 
 with respect to her religious faith, by some 
 irreligious white people. They endeavour- 
 ed, though in vain, to perplex her mind, by 
 objections against the Scriptures. But her 
 parents were pleased, that she had learned 
 so many good things, and expressed a desire 
 to be themselves instructed. 
 
 Her return furnished an opportunity for 
 admitting her to full communion in the visible 
 Church of Christ. On the 29th of March, 
 about two months after her baptism, she, 
 with others, ratified a solemn covenant with 
 the Most High, at the sacramental table. 
 Seven of the communicants were Cherokees. 
 The assembly was large, solemn and atten- 
 tive; and there was reason to believe, that 
 some of the bystanders had a great desire to 
 be with the little company, which commemo- 
 rated the love of Jesus, particularly one 
 negro woman. This person, being asked 
 how she felt on that occasion, replied, "I felt 
 as if that (meaning the communicants,) was 
 my company, and that they had left me alone 
 
30 MEMOIR OF 
 
 in the wicked world." "Our red brethren 
 and sisters," say the missionaries, ''declared, 
 that their joys, while at the table, exceeded 
 every thing they had before conceived." 
 
 It has not been common for missionary 
 stations among Pagans, to be favoured so 
 early, as was Brainerd, with the converting 
 influences of the Spirit of God. Generally, 
 in these latter days, the faith and patience 
 of a missionary, under such circumstances, 
 have been considerably tried, before he has 
 seen the fruits of his labours; though, in due 
 season, there has seldom failed to be a har- 
 vest amply compensating him for all his toils. 
 But among the Indians of North America, 
 who have not incorporated the worst vices 
 of civilized life with their own, the preacher 
 of the Gospel has some peculiar advantages. 
 They possess not, as do most heathen nations, 
 a complicated system of false religion, trans- 
 mitted from their fathers, which must be 
 overthrown, before the Gospel can prevail. 
 They are, to a great extent, "without a sac- 
 rifice, and without an im^ge, and without an 
 ephod, and without a teraphim." There is 
 scarcely any thing among the Indians them- 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 31 
 
 selves, to oppose the prevalence of the Gos- 
 pel, except their unfortified ignorance and 
 depravity. The greatest obstacles to mis- 
 sionary success among them, arise from a 
 foreign influence, industriously, and some- 
 times powerfully, exerted. 
 
 In May, Jeremiah Evarts, Esq., at that 
 time Treasurer of the American Board of 
 Commissioners for Foreign iMissions, arrived 
 at Brainerd, on a visit of inspection and 
 superintendence. By extracting two or three 
 passages from a letter, which he then 
 wrote, to Dr. Worcester, Corresponding- 
 Secretary of the Board, the reader will have 
 an interesting view of the internal economy 
 of the missionary establishment, with which 
 Catharine was connected. 
 
 "It was on Friday evening, the 8th inst., 
 just after sun-set, that 1 alighted at the mis- 
 sion-house. The path, which leads to it 
 from the main-road, passes through an open 
 wood, which is extremely beautiful at ihis 
 season of the year. The mild radiance of 
 the setting sun, the unbroken solitude of the 
 wilderness, the pleasantness of the forest 
 
32 MEMOIR OF 
 
 with all its springing and blossoming vegeta- 
 tion, the object of my journey, and the 
 nature and design of the institution, which I 
 was about to visit, conspired to render the 
 scene solemn and interesting, and to fill the 
 mind with tender emotions. 
 
 "Early in the evening, the children of the 
 school, being informed that one cf their 
 northern friends, whom they had been ex- 
 pecting, had arrived, eagerly assembled in 
 the hall, and were drawn up in ranks and 
 particularly introduced. They are neither 
 shy, nor forward in their manners. To a 
 stranger they appear not less interesting than 
 other children of the same age; but, if he 
 considers their circumstances and prospects, 
 incomparably more so. 
 
 u x\t evening prayers, I was forcibly struck 
 with the stillness, order, and decorum of the 
 children, and with the solemnity of the family 
 worship. A portion of Scripture was read, 
 with Scott's practical observations; a hymn 
 was sung, in which a large portion of the 
 children united; and Mr. Hoyt led the devo- 
 tions of the numerous family. If all the 
 members of the Board could hear the prayers. 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 33 
 
 which are daily offered in their behalf at 
 this station, (and I presume at all others un- 
 der their superintendence;) and if all patrons 
 and contributors could hear the thanks, which 
 are returned to God for their liberality; and 
 especially if they could see a large circle of 
 children, lately rescued from heathenism, 
 kneeling with apparent seriousness, and en- 
 gaging in the solemnities of Christian worship, 
 one of them [Catharine Brown] already a 
 hopeful convert, and others thoughtful and 
 inquiring; — if all these things could be seen, 
 one may safely predict, that the exertions 
 and sacrifices of the friends of missions would 
 be increased four-fold. These things are not 
 the less real, however, because they cannot 
 be seen by every friend to the cause." 
 
 The Rev. Ard Hoyt, mentioned in the 
 above extracts, joined the mission in the 
 January preceding, and, in June, succeeded 
 Mr. Kingsbury as superintendent of the Cher- 
 okee mission, the latter having removed to 
 the Choctaw nation. 
 
 A farther extract from the letter of Mr. 
 Evarts will not only confirm much, that has 
 4 
 
34 MEMOIR OF 
 
 already been said respecting Catharine, but 
 will add some other particulars. 
 
 " Her parents are half-breeds, who have 
 never learnt to speak English; yet if you 
 were to see her at a boarding-school in New- 
 England, as she ordinarily appears here, you 
 would not distinguish her from well-educated 
 females of the same age, either by her com- 
 plexion, features, drei>s, pronunciation, or 
 manners. If your attention were directed to 
 her particularly, you would notice a more 
 than ordinary modesty and reserve. If you 
 were to see her in a religious meeting of 
 pious females, you would not distinguish her, 
 unless by her more than common simplicity 
 and humility. When she joined the school 
 in July last, (having come more than one hun- 
 dred miles for that sole purpose,) she could 
 read in syllables of three letters, and was 
 seventeen years old. From her superior 
 manners and comely person she had probably 
 attracted more attention, than any other fe- 
 male in the nation. She was vain, and exces- 
 sively fond of dress, wearing a profusion of 
 ornaments in her ears. She can now read 
 well in the Bible, is fond of reading other 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 35 
 
 books, and has been particularly pleased with 
 the Memoirs of Mrs. Newell. Last fall she 
 became serious, is believed to have experi- 
 enced religion in the course of the autumn, 
 and was baptized in January. Since that 
 time, she has been constantly in the family; 
 and all the female members ©f it have the 
 most intimate knowledge of her conduct, and 
 receive a frank disclosure of her feelings. 
 It is their unanimous opinion, that she gives 
 uncommon evidence of piety. At meetings 
 for social prayer and religious improvement, 
 held by them on every Thursday afternoon 
 and Sabbath evening, Catharine prays in her 
 turn, much to the gratification of her sisters 
 in Christ. Her prayers are distinguished by 
 great simplicity as to thought and language, 
 and seem to be the filial aspirations of the 
 devout child. Before Mrs. Chamberlain took 
 charge of the girls, Catharine had, of her 
 own accord, commenced evening prayer with 
 them, just as they were retiring to rest. 
 Sometime after this practice had been begun, 
 it was discovered by one of the missionaries, 
 who, happening to pass by the cabin where 
 the girls lodge, overheard her pouring forth 
 
3(5 MEMOIR OF 
 
 her desires in very affecting and appropriate 
 language. On being inquired of respecting 
 it, she simply observed, that she had prayed 
 with the girls, because she thought it was 
 her duty. Yet this young woman, whose 
 conduct might now reprove many professing 
 Christians, who have been instructed in reli- 
 gion from their infancy, only ten months ago 
 had never heard of Jesus Christ, nor had a 
 single thought whether the soul survived the 
 body, or not. Since she became religious, 
 her trinkets have gradually disappeared, till 
 only a single drop remains in each ear. On 
 hearing that pious females have, in many in- 
 stances, devoted their ornaments to the mis- 
 sionary cause, she has determined to devote 
 hers also. In coming to this determination, 
 she acted without influence from the advice 
 of others."* 
 
 Time fled rapidly away, in pious em- 
 ployments and in Christian intercourse, and 
 brought the long expected, much dreaded 
 separation. It shall be described in the words 
 of those, who, next to the interesting suf- 
 ferer, felt it most. 
 
 * Panoplist, vol. xiv. p. 344. 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 37 
 
 " November 4\ The parents of Catharine 
 Brown called on us. They are on their way 
 to the Agency. The old grey-headed man, 
 with tears in his eyes, said he must go over 
 the Mississippi. The white people would 
 not suffer him to live here. They had 
 stolen his cattle, horses, and hogs, until he 
 bad very little left. He expected to return 
 from the Agency, in about ten days, and 
 should then want Catharine to go home, and 
 prepare to go with him to the Arkansas. 
 We requested him to leave his daughter with 
 us yet a little while, and go to the Arkansas 
 without her; and we would soon send her to 
 him, with much more knowledge than she now 
 has. To this he would not consent; but sig- 
 nified a desire, that some of us would go 
 along with him. It is a great trial to think 
 of sending this dear sister away with only 
 one year's tuition; but we fear she must go. 
 The Lord can and will order otherwise, if, 
 on the whole, it is for the best," 
 
 While her parents were gone to the 
 Agency, Catharine made a farewell visit to 
 Springplace, the seat of the Moravian mis- 
 sion, about thirty-five miles from Brainerd, 
 *4 
 
38 MEMOIR OP 
 
 The feelings, with which she parted from 
 Mr. and Mrs. Gambold, the venerable mis- 
 sionaries there, were such as might be ex- 
 pected, from her high regard for their cha- 
 racters, and her prospect of never seeing 
 them again. She returned to Brainerd on 
 the 9th; and, on the 20th 7 the missionaries 
 thus describe her removal. 
 
 "We had a very affecting scene, in 
 the departure of our sister Catharine. Her 
 father and mother, returning from the Agen- 
 cy to go to the Arkansas, stopped yesterday 
 for the purpose of taking her with them. 
 She knew that she needed more information 
 to be prepared to go alone into the wilder- 
 ness, and intreated them to leave her with us 
 a little longer. She is their only daughter; 
 and they would not consent on any terms. 
 The struggle was very severe. She wept 
 and prayed, and promised to come to them, 
 as soon as she had finished her literary edu- 
 cation, and acquired some further knowledge 
 of the Christian religion. We engaged that 
 she should be provided for while here, and 
 assisted in going to them. Her mother said, 
 she could not live, if Catharine would not 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 39 
 
 now go with them. Catharine replied, that 
 to her it would be more bitter than death to 
 leave us, and go where there were no mis- 
 sionaries. Her father became impatient, and 
 told her, if she would not mind him, and go 
 with them now, he would disown her for- 
 ever; but if she would now go, as soon as 
 missionaries came to the Arkansas, (and he 
 expected they would be there soon,) she 
 might go and live with them as long as she 
 pleased. He wished her to have more learn- 
 ing. 
 
 u Never before had this precious convert 
 so severe a trial; and never, perhaps, did 
 her graces shine so bright. She sought for 
 nothing but to know her duty, and asked for 
 a few minutes to be by herself undisturbed. 
 She returned, and said she would go* After 
 she had collected and put up her clothing, 
 the family were assembled, a parting hymn 
 was sung, and a prayer offered. With mingled 
 emotions of joy and grief, we commended her 
 to the grace of God, and they departed. 
 
 " Precious babe in Christ! a few months 
 ago brought out of the dark wilderness; here 
 illuminated by the word and Spirit of God; 
 and now to be sent back into the dark and 
 
40 MEMOIR OF 
 
 chilling shades of the forest, without one 
 fellow traveller, with whom she can say, 
 'Our Father!' O ye, who with delight sit 
 under the droppings of the sanctuary, and 
 enjoy the communion of saints, remember 
 Catharine in your prayers." 
 
 Thus was she removed from a place, en- 
 deared to her by some of the most pleasing 
 associations of her life; and she departed, 
 expecting to return no more. A day of sor- 
 row must it have been to the members of 
 the school, whose warmest attachment she 
 had most effectually secured. The chief 
 consolation of her religious friends was, that 
 the whole had been ordered by infinite 
 Wisdom. 
 
 Early in the following month, information 
 was received at Brainerd, that two children, 
 who had been taken captive by the Chero- 
 kees from the Osage tribe of Indians, were 
 in the lower part of the nation, and that one 
 of them was supposed to be the sister of 
 Lydia Carter, the interesting « Little Osage 
 Captive,"* who was then a member of the 
 
 * The little girl, a narrative of whom was published, in 1822, by 
 the Rev. Enas Cornelius, now Pastor of the Tabernacle Church 
 «& Salem, Mass. 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 41 
 
 school. There being some reason to believe, 
 that the man, in whose possession they were, 
 might be induced to surrender them to the 
 care of the missionaries, Mr. Hoyt, accom- 
 panied by his son, set out in quest of the un- 
 fortunate children. They travelled between 
 two and three hundred miles, and encounter- 
 ed many hardships on their way. But, though 
 they found the children, and ascertained that 
 one was indeed the sister of Lydia, they fail- 
 ed in their great object. The man, who 
 professed to be the owner of the children, 
 would not relinquish them. 
 
 The journey was not, however, in vain. 
 Mr. Hoyt had the happiness of meeting with 
 Catharine, at her father's house. This oc- 
 currence is thus noticed, in the journal of the 
 mission. 
 
 " In this tour, father Hoyt spent two nights 
 and a day at the house of Catharine Brown's 
 father. He was received with great cordi- 
 ality by the whole family; and Catharine's 
 
 * The girl was never obtained by the missionaries: but the boy 
 was afterwards placed under their care, through the kindness ef 
 Col. Meigs, the United States Agent, and through the benevolent 
 enterprise of Mr. Jolm Ross, a promising Cherokee young mas* 
 The bov was named John Osage Ross, in honour of Mr. Ross. 
 
42 MEMOIR OF 
 
 joy was so great, that he says, ; I felt myself 
 more than paid for the fatigues of the whole 
 journey, by the first evening's opportunity.' 
 Catharine said, it had been very dark times 
 with her, since she leftBrainerd. All around 
 her were engaged for the riches and plea- 
 sures of the world; and because she could 
 not unite with them, as formerly, they were 
 telling her, they supposed she thought her- 
 self very good now; that she expected to go 
 to heaven alone; &c. Her greatest burden 
 was, a fear that she should be drawn away 
 from the right path, and at length be left to 
 do like those around her. She felt herself 
 too weak to leave the society and instruction 
 of Christians, and go into the world alone." 
 
 Whiie Mr. Hoyt was at her father's, he 
 preached to a small audience of Cherokees, 
 and one Indian woman was so much affected, 
 that she wept during the whole service. 
 After the departure of Mr. Hoyt, this woman 
 sent for Catharine to read and explain the 
 Bible to her, and to pray with her, which 
 was repeatedly done. There is reason to 
 believe, that a salutary and abiding impres- 
 sion was produced; for, after Catharine's re- 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 43 
 
 turn to Brainerd, this poor female came all 
 the way, a* distance of more than a hundred 
 miles, to hear, as she said, more about the 
 Saviour. 
 
 This chapter will be closed with two let- 
 ters from Catharine to her friends, which are 
 the eariiest, of which her biographer has 
 any knowledge. And this occasion is taken 
 to remark, that nearly all the letters, 
 which will find a place in this memoir, were 
 written from the overflowings of her heart 
 to persons with whom she was intimately 
 acquainted, and hence with little study, or 
 effort. The greater part of them have never 
 before been published. They are generally 
 copied from the originals, which are in a plain, 
 intelligible running hand, and the orthography 
 is very seldom incorrect. Alterations in the 
 sense, are never made; and corrections in the 
 grammar, but rarely. 
 
 The first of the letters was written in the 
 anticipation of her dreaded removal from her 
 Christian friends, sixteen months from her 
 first coming to Brainerd. 
 
44 MEMOIR OF 
 
 TO MRS, WILLIAMS, AT ELLIOT. 
 
 Brainerd, JVov. 1, 1818. 
 My dearly beloved Sister, 
 
 I have been wishing to write to you ever 
 since you left us. You can hardly tell how 
 my heart ached when I parted with you, ex- 
 pecting never to see you again in this world; 
 but when I remembered that you were in the 
 hands of the Lord, and that he would dispose 
 of you as he pleased, it gave me joy equal to 
 my sorrow. 
 
 O how I rejoiced, to think that you 
 were going to carry the glad tidings of sal- 
 vation to a people who had never heard of 
 the dear Saviour. I do hope and pray that 
 the Lord will bless your labours among them, 
 as he has here. 
 
 We were very lonesome when you left us, 
 especially at our prayer meeting; but I hope 
 our hearts were united in love. I was very 
 sorry to hear that you were sick; but it re- 
 joiced me to hear that you were recovering, 
 O, my dear sister, I will join with you in 
 praising the Lord for bis goodness in restor- 
 ing you to health, I shall never forget you, 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 45 
 
 or your kind endeavours to bring me to a 
 knowledge of the Saviour. Sometimes I feel 
 the love of God shed abroad in my heart, and 
 feel as if 1 should be willing to give up every 
 thing in this world to Christ. O how good is 
 it to enjoy the presence of God; O that I 
 might always enjoy it: but my heart is so bad 
 and so prone to leave the God I love, that I 
 am afraid he will leave me. O my dear sister, 
 do pray for me. 
 
 All the Cherokee brothers and sisters are 
 well. Three of the scholars, viz. Lydia 
 Lowry, Alice, and I'eggy Wilson, we hope 
 have obtained an interest in the Saviour. Mr. 
 Wilson came here, and wished to take his 
 daughters on a visit to Mr. Brown 1 *. Nearly 
 a week after, he sent word that he was not 
 going to send them back to school again. We 
 felt very much grieved to hear it. 
 
 I expect my father here every day. I do 
 not know whether I shall go to the Arkansas, 
 or not. 1 feel grieved when I think of leav- 
 ing my Christian friends, and of going far 
 from all religious people, into a wild howl- 
 ing wilderness, where no star shines to guide 
 my wandering feet to the Babe of Bethlehem; 
 5 
 
46 MEMOIR OF 
 
 where no warning voice is heard to keep me 
 in the straight path that leads to heaven. 
 When I look to that dark region, I start back; 
 but when I think of my two brothers there, 
 and my dear parents, who are soon to go, I 
 feel reluctant to stay behind, and leave them 
 to perish alone. 
 
 Tell Mr. Williams and Mr. Kingsbury, that 
 I remember them most affectionately, and 
 also all the dear brothers and sisters at Yello 
 Busha. 
 
 From your loving sister, 
 
 Catharine Brown. 
 
 TO MR. AND MRS. CHAMBERLAIN, AT BRAIN ERD. 
 
 Fort Deposit, Dec. 12, 1818. 
 My dearly beloved Brother and Sister Chamberlain, 
 
 I just sit down to address you with my 
 pen. But is this all? Am I so soon called to 
 bid you adieu, and see your faces no more 
 in this world? O my beloved friends, you 
 know not the love I bear to that blessed spot, 
 where I have spent so many happy hours 
 with you; but it is past never to return. 
 
gAtharine brown. 47 
 
 Dear friends, 1 weep; my heart is full; tears 
 flow from my eyes while I write; and why is 
 it so? Do I murmur? God forbid. Ought I 
 not to praise the Lord for what I have receiv- 
 ed, and trust Him for every thing? Oyes, his 
 ways are best, and he has graciously prom- 
 ised, that "all things shall work together for 
 good to them that love him." But do I love 
 him? Have I that love to him, which will 
 enable me to keep all his commandments? Do 
 I love him with all my heart? O that the Lord 
 would search me, and lead me in the way of 
 eternal life. 
 
 Since I left you, I have led a very lone- 
 some life, and not heard the Gospel preached 
 but unce; that is, when father Hoyt was here, 
 and Milo, They came here on Tuesday 
 evening. I was sitting in my room, and heard 
 a knocking at the door. I bid them come in; 
 and who but Milo appeared. I inquired if 
 any body was with him. He said his father 
 was at the door. That rejoiced me very 
 much, and I enjoyed very much while they 
 were here. Blessed be God for sending them 
 here to instruct us. 
 
4S MEMOIR OF 
 
 I am here amongst a wicked set of people, 
 and never hear prayers, nor any godly con- 
 versation. O my dear friends, pray for me: 
 I hope you do. There is not a day passes 
 but I think of you, and the kindness I received 
 during the time I staid with you. It is not 
 my wish to go to the Arkansas; but God only 
 knows what is best for me. I shall not attempt 
 to tell you what I have felt since I left you, 
 and the tears I have shed when I called to 
 mind the happy moments we passed in singing 
 the prases of God. However, I bear it 
 as well as I possibly can, trusting in our dear 
 Saviour, who will never leave nor forsake 
 them, that put their trust in him. 
 
 It may be possible, that I may see you once 
 more; it would be a great happiness to me if 
 I don't go to the Arkansas; perhaps I may; 
 but if I should go, it is not likely we shall 
 meet in this world again: — but you will ex- 
 cuse me, for my heart feels what 1 cannot 
 express with my pen. When I think and see 
 the poor thoughtless Cherokees going on in 
 Sin, I cannot help blessing God, that he has 
 led me in the right path to serve him. 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 49 
 
 Father will start to the Arkansas about 
 some time after Christmas; but, I am not cer* 
 tain that I shall go. 
 
 I thank you for your kind letters. Do 
 write to me every opportunity. 
 
 I shall conclude with liry love to all my 
 brothers and sisters at Brainerd. Sister Flora, 
 do kiss all the children for me. I shall ex- 
 pect letters from all the little girls. O may 
 we meet at last in the kingdom of our blessed 
 Saviour, never more to part. Farewell, my 
 dear brother and sister, farewell. 
 
 From your affectionate sister in Christ, 
 
 Catharine Brown. 
 
 *5 
 
50 MEMOIR OF 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 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 wit- 
 ness very affecting instances of the particular 
 and merciful providence, which God exercises 
 towards his children in this world. Both the 
 
CATHARINE BROWN- 51 
 
 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 Brain- 
 erd, cannot be determined; though there is 
 little doubt but her faith and patience were, 
 by this means, increased. But the conse- 
 quences 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 conver- 
 sion 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 educa- 
 tion 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 
 
52 MEMOIR OP 
 
 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 inten 
 tions of her parents respecting her, wholly to 
 the special providence of Him, who heareth 
 prayer. The appointed time for their de- 
 parture 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 en- 
 tered the room where her parents were sit- 
 ting, she found they had been consulting on 
 the expediency of sending her back to Brai- 
 nerd; and had actually resolved upon her re- 
 turn. This was just half a year from the 
 period of her removal from that consecrated 
 place. 
 
 On this occasion, the missionaries very nat- 
 urally exclaim; — "How unsearchable are the 
 w»ys of God! We thought it a very afflicting 
 providence that this lamb should be snatched 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 53 
 
 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 ex- 
 ample of filial obedience, by submitting to the 
 authority of a father, in a most painful requisi- 
 tion, and of manifesting her love to the Sav- 
 iour, in her willingness to forsake all for him; 
 and, at the same time, has granted her the ob- 
 ject 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 Brai- 
 nerd. 
 
 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 
 
54 MEMOIR OF 
 
 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 1 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 will- 
 ing to leave every thing for God, and to un- 
 dergo any sufferings, if it would bit 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 impor- 
 tant notices. Doubtless she was occupied in 
 making useful acquisitions; and, so far as her 
 duties as a member of the school would per- 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 55 
 
 mit, in communicating the knowledge she had 
 acquired to others. 
 
 Two or three letters may properly be in- 
 serted 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, be- 
 fore 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 
 
56 MEMOIR OF 
 
 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 or- 
 dered 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 re- 
 mained 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 in- 
 struction, 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 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 57 
 
 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 con- 
 cluded not to go until next fall. I don't know 
 whether they will go then. 1 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 expe- 
 rience that love which no words can de- 
 scribe. 
 
 Give my love to my dear brother and sister 
 Kingsbury, and afao to all the dear missiona- 
 ries there. From your affectionate sister in 
 Christ, Catharine Brown. 
 
 P. S. Please to accept this small present 
 6 
 
5S MEMOIR OF 
 
 for my little darlings; and learn them to say. 
 '•Aunt Catharine."* 
 
 TO MR. MOODY HALL, AT TALONEY.j 
 
 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. 1 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 destruc- 
 tion. 
 
 * Any person who had witnessed the separation of Mrs. Wil- 
 liams 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 tne 
 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 un- 
 der a burden of grief too great to be borne. Mrs. Williams had al- 
 ways been peculiarly dear to her from their first acquaintance, 
 and, like an older sister, had guided her youthful steps in the path.? 
 of peace. 
 
 t Now called Caimel. 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 59 
 
 O how I feel for my poor Cherokee breth- 
 ren 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 pray- 
 ers, 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. 
 
 Bi-aiacrd, jVov. , 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, be- 
 
60 MEMOIR OP 
 
 fore 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. 
 
 1 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 mis- 
 sionaries at Brainerd, in preparing a Cher- 
 okee 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 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 61 
 
 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 thought- 
 ful — deeply impressed — convinced of his sin- 
 fulness 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 bis 
 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 be- 
 come 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. 
 *6 
 
62 MEMOIfc OF 
 
 The impression made by this visit, in con- 
 nexion with the previous efforts of Catharine, 
 was such, that when Mr. Brown, after recov- 
 ering from his illness, brought his children 
 back to Brainerd, he delivered to the mis- 
 sionaries the following letter, signed by him- 
 self 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 ex- 
 tremely anxious to have a school in our neigh- 
 bourhood, 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 immedi- 
 ately 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 ©f 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 63 
 
 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 fa- 
 vourable auspices. 
 
 Mr. Butrick was accompanied and much as- 
 sisted 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 con- 
 fines of South Carolina, in the most ignorant 
 part of the nation. Happening to be at Knox- 
 ville, 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 arriv- 
 ed 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 mission- 
 aries 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 
 
64 MEMOIR Of 
 
 before he discovered an anxious solicitude re- 
 specting 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 school- 
 mates, 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 conclud- 
 ed 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 : u 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 ex- 
 ercises. 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 evan- 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 65 
 
 gelical labours of the missionaries in various 
 parts of the nation. 
 
 While Mr. Butrick was prosecuting his in- 
 cipient labours at Creek-Path, Catharine and 
 David were employing themselves diligently 
 at Brainerd. Once, in particular, it is re- 
 corded, that, after a prayer-meeting, conduct- 
 ed by the missionaries, these two young Cher- 
 okees, 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 lan- 
 guage. 
 
 These united labours were, however, in- 
 terrupted, 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 admis- 
 sion to the church. 
 
 David had been desirous, for some time, of 
 being fitted to preach the Gospel to his coun- 
 trymen, and was encouraged to aim at such a 
 preparation, first by his sister Catharine, and 
 then by the missionaries. He arrived at Corn- 
 wall, sometime in the summer; was connected 
 
66 MEMOIR OF 
 
 with that highly favoured school about tw« 
 years; was then removed to Andover, Mass. 
 where he remained a year, and, without be- 
 coming a member of the Theological Institu- 
 tion in that place, enjoyed many of its distin- 
 guished 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 re- 
 turned to them, early in the year 1324. The 
 addresses, which he delivered in many of 
 our principal towns and cities, on the wrongs 
 and claims and prospects of the American In- 
 dians, 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 Ame- 
 rican Board, which, coming from one so near- 
 ly related to Catharine, and giving an amiable 
 view of her family, will interest the reader. 
 
 Point Pleasant, Arkansas, Sept. 20, 1824. 
 Pear Sir, 
 
 Long before this time, you must have beard 
 of my speedy passage from Washington City 
 to Arkansas, and of my delightful and joy- 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 67 
 
 nil meeting with my brethren and kindred ac- 
 cording 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 em- 
 brace 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 use- 
 ful 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 in- 
 terpret English sermons, and sometimes 
 preach myself in the sweet language of 
 Tsdllakee, [the Cherokee.] Never were 
 there greater prospects of success among 
 the Cherokees, than at present. 
 
 I expect to revisit my mother-country soon, 
 ©n my father's business, and once more to be 
 
68 MEMOIR OF 
 
 at Brainerd, and Creek-Path, beneath the tall 
 trees of Tsu-saw-ya-wa-sah. In November 
 and December please to write me at Brain- 
 erd, 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 peo- 
 ple 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 con- 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 69 
 
 templated school. In this advice she acqui- 
 esced, 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 enthusi- 
 astic 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 tobuild 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 Brain- 
 erd 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, Catha- 
 rine bade an affectionate adieu to Brainerd, to 
 take charge of the school for females near 
 her paternal home. The following entry was 
 7 
 
70 MEMOIR OF 
 
 made at this time, in the journal of the mis- 
 sion. 
 
 "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 con- 
 sent; will not take her except by our advice; 
 and she is going, not into the wilderness un- 
 prepared to teach, but into a place where 
 divine light has already begun to spring up, pre- 
 pared, 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 sow- 
 ing 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 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 71 
 
 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 let- 
 ter, 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 dis- 
 tant 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 
 
12 
 
 MEMOIR OF 
 
 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 en- 
 gaged 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 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 13 
 
 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 toge- 
 ther. 
 
 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 Corn- 
 wall, to study divinity, and prepare to preach 
 #7 
 
74 
 
 MEMOIR OP 
 
 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, be- 
 fore 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 l)e permitted to meet in that 
 world, where Christians will be collected to 
 sing through eternity the song of Bloses and 
 the Lamb. 
 
 From your sister 
 
 Catharine Brown. 
 
 TO HER BROTHER DAVID, 
 While on his way to New England. 
 
 Braintrd, May 16, 1820. 
 My very dear Brother, 
 
 I cannot express my feelings this evening, 
 when I read your kind letter. My heart is 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 75 
 
 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 noth- 
 ing 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 thank- 
 ful 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 de- 
 prived of this great privilege. They know 
 not the Saviour, whom we have found so pre- 
 cious. Yes, even our dear parents are yet liv- 
 ing 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. 
 
76 MEMOIR OF 
 
 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, 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 77 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 FROM HER TAKING CHARGE OF A SCHOOL AT CREEK- 
 PATH, UNTIL HER SICKNESS. 
 
 Extracts from her diary. — Her school. — Con- 
 version of her parents, and others of the J am- 
 ity. — She and her family visit Brainerd. — 
 Letter from the chiefs at Creek Path. — Traits 
 in Catharine's character. — Further extracts 
 from her diary. — Eulogium of her brother 
 John. — She visits Huntsville. — Estimation in 
 'which she was there held. — Goes to reside 
 with her parents. — Apprehensions respecting 
 her health. — Goes to Brainerd for medical 
 aid. — Returns. — Letters to differ e?it friends. 
 
 We now enter upon the last three, and the 
 most interesting years of Catharine's life, in 
 which we shall behold her in new circum- 
 stances; her character more fully developed, 
 and her graces shining with greater lustre. 
 
78 MEMOIR OP 
 
 In order that she may speak for herself as 
 much as possible, that part of her private 
 diary will be inserted, which was saved from 
 the destruction, to which many of her papers 
 were devoted, a little before her sickness. It 
 was obtained from Mrs. Gilbreth, a sister of 
 Catharine, and a faithful copy was transmitted 
 by Mrs. Potter, the wife of the Rev. William 
 Potter, missionary at Creek-Path. 
 
 EXTRACTS FROM HER DIARY. 
 
 "Brainerd, May 30, 1820. Tomorrow 
 morning I shall leave this school, perhaps 
 never to return. It is truly painful to part 
 with my dear Christian friends, those, with 
 whom I have spent many happy hours in the 
 house of worship. 1 must bid them farewell. 
 This is the place, where I first became ac- 
 quainted with the dear Saviour. He now calls 
 me to work in his vineyard, and shall I, for 
 the sake of my Christian friends and of my 
 own pleasures, refuse to go, while many erf 
 my poor red brothers and sisters are perish- 
 ing for lack of knowledge ? O no. I will not 
 refuse to go. I will go wherever the Saviotfr 
 
GATHARINE BROWN. 76 
 
 calls me. I know he will be on my right 
 hand, to grant me all the blessings, that I shall 
 need, and he will direct me how to instruct 
 the dear children, who shall be committed to 
 my care. 
 
 "31 . This morning I set out from Brainerd, 
 with my dear father. Travelled about twenty 
 miles. Thought much of my beloved Chris- 
 tian friends. Whether I shall ever see them, 
 again, is uncertain. The Lord only knows. 
 
 "June 2. Have been very sick to day; but, 
 blessed be God, am now a little better. Hope 
 I shall be able to travel tomorrow. The Lord 
 is very kind and merciful to all those, who 
 put their trust in him. Last night I slept on 
 the floor without any bed. £elt quite happy 
 in my situation. Though very sick in body, 
 yet I trust my heart was well. 
 
 u 5. Have arrived at my fathers, but am 
 yet very unwell. Have a bad cold. Am 
 sometimes afraid I shall not be sible to teach 
 school at Creek-Path. We ?lept two nights 
 on the ground with our wet blankets, before 
 we reached our home. 
 
 "20. Blessed be God, who has again re- 
 stored me to health. It is two weeks to-dav 
 
 i 
 
80 memoir; of 
 
 since I commenced teaching a girl's school. O 
 how much I need wisdom from God. I am a 
 child. 1 can do nothing. But in God will I 
 trust, for I know there is none else, to whom 
 I can look for help. 
 
 "Sept. 5. This day I received a letter from 
 brother David. I rejoice much to hear, that 
 he has arrived safely at Cornwall. May the 
 Lsrd be with him, and make him useful as 
 long as he lives, and at death may he be re- 
 ceived at the right hand of God. This is the 
 prayer of his affectionate sister Catharine." 
 
 Before proceeding further with the ex- 
 tracts from the diary, it seems proper to in- 
 sert some notices not found in that docu- 
 ment. 
 
 Catharine commenced her school with 
 about twenty scholars, and the number soon 
 increased. Not only the daughters, but the 
 mothers also, manifested a strong desire to re- 
 ceive instruction. Several of her pupils, in 
 consequence of previous tuition, could read 
 in the New Testament, when they came un- 
 der her care. These it was her delight to 
 lead to a more perfect acquaintance with that 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. SI 
 
 sacred volume. But most of the children 
 began with the rudiments of learning. This 
 school she continued three quarters of a year, 
 much to the satisfaction of her scholars, their 
 parents, and the missionaries. She finally re- 
 linquished it only because the arrival of Mr. 
 and Mrs. Potter gave her an opportunity to 
 surrender her charge into other hands, and 
 at the same time opened the way for her pros- 
 ecuting higher studies, with a view to greater 
 usefulness to her people. 
 
 The spirit of serious inquiry at Creek Path, 
 to which there was an allusion at the close of 
 the last chapter, increased after the arrival of 
 Catharine, especially among her own kindred. 
 Doubtless she was not backward, with the 
 meekness of humility and with the earnest- 
 ness of affection, to warn and exhort. And 
 she had the joy of beholding her father, 
 mother, a brother, and two or three sisters, 
 unitedly seeking the pardon of their sins, and 
 that peace, which the world giveth not. After 
 a suitable trial, and due instruction, all these 
 her relatives, with others of their country- 
 men, publicly professed faith in Christ, and 
 were united to his visible Church. 
 
82 MEMOIR OF 
 
 It is gratifying to be able to remark, that 
 no one of them has hitherto dishonoured the 
 Christian profession, and that all who survive, 
 are believed to be the humble followers of the 
 Lord Jesus. One has "fallen asleep," and of 
 him an affectionate record will be found in the 
 diary of Catharine. 
 
 Shortly after the last paragraph extracted 
 from her diary was written, nearly the whole 
 family made a visit to Brainerd. The hearts 
 of the missionaries were made glad, by the 
 sight of this little band; and oh! how must the 
 heart of Catharine have exulted with joy, while 
 she presented her beloved relatives, one after 
 another, as the friends and followers of her 
 blessed Saviour! 
 
 It will be remembered that a letter from 
 the chiefs at Creek-Path, desiring the mis- 
 sionaries to establish a school among them, 
 was inserted in the last chapter. Mr. Brown 
 was now the bearer of another letter from 
 the same chiefs, signed by their Chairman, 
 or Speaker, in which they thus express their 
 approbation of the school, and their good 
 wishes with respect to missionary efforts: 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 83 
 
 "Friends and Brothers, 
 
 "We are glad to inform you, that we are 
 well pleased with Mr. Butrick, who has come 
 forward as a teacher to instruct our people. 
 We believe he does discharge his duty; and 
 we hope his coming will be of great advantage 
 to our people. Our wish is, that you may 
 prosper throughout our nation, in your lauda- 
 ble undertaking. It is out of our power to see 
 you, in any short time, on account of the Na- 
 tional Council, and other business we are 
 obliged to attend at this time. It is our wish 
 that the school should continue at this place. 
 Mr. John Brown, sen. will deliver this, who 
 will present you our hands in friendship. We 
 hope we shall see each other before long. 
 We are glad to see our children advancing so 
 well. We conclude with our best respects. 
 Wau-sau-sev, Bear-meat, Speaker." 
 
 Here some remarks may properly be intro- 
 duced, on the traits of character, which Catha- 
 rine exhibited, during a part of the time em- 
 braced in her diary. These remarks are taken 
 from the letter of Mrs. Potter, which enclosed 
 that document. 
 
34 MEMOIR OF 
 
 "In the spring of 1821, while making the 
 necessary preparations for a settlement at 
 Creek-Path, Mr. Potter and myself, for two 
 months, made Mr. Brown's house our home. 
 Here we had an opportunity of noticing 
 Catharine's daily deportment, as a member of 
 the domestic circle. 
 
 "For sweetness of temper, meekness, gen- 
 tleness, and forbearance, 1 never saw one, who 
 surpassed her. To her parents she was un- 
 commonly dutiful and affectionate. Nothing, 
 which could contribute to their happiness, 
 was considered a burden; and her plans were 
 readily yielded to theirs, however great the 
 sacrifice to her feelings. The spiritual inter- 
 ests of the family lay near her heart, and she 
 sometimes spent whole evenings in conversa- 
 tion with them on religious subjects. 
 
 "Before our arrival, she had established a 
 weekly prayer-meeting with the female mem- 
 bers of the family, which was also improved as 
 an opportunity for reading the word of God, 
 and conversing upon its important truths. 
 Such was her extreme modesty, that she did 
 not make this known to me, until more than a 
 week after my arrival; and the usual period 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. S5 
 
 had passed without a meeting. She at length 
 overcame her diffidence, and informed me 
 what their practice had been, in a manner ex- 
 pressive of the most unfeigned humility. These 
 meetings were continued while we remained 
 in the family, and I believe they were highly 
 useful. A monthly prayer-meeting among 
 the sisters of the church was soon after estab^ 
 lished, in which Catharine took a lively inter- 
 est; nor did she ever refuse, when requested,'to 
 take an active part in the devotional exercises. 
 
 "Soon after we removed to our station, 
 Catharine became a member of our family, 
 and of the school. All her energies were 
 now bent towards the improvement of her 
 mind, with a view to future usefulness among 
 her people. Both in school, and in the family, 
 her deportment was such as greatly to endear 
 her to our hearts, and she was most tenderly 
 loved by all the children. 
 
 "She was not entirely free from the inad- 
 vertences of youth; but always received re- 
 proof with great meekness, and it never failed 
 to produce the most salutary effect. 
 
 "She was deeply sensible of the many fa- 
 vours she had received from Christian friends, 
 *8 
 
S6 MEMOIR OF 
 
 and often, in the strongest terms, expressed 
 her gratitude. 
 
 "She was zealous in the cause of Christ, 
 and laboured much to instruct her ignorant 
 people in the things, that concern their ever- 
 lasting peace. The advancement of the Re- 
 deemer's kingdom was to her a subject of deep 
 interest, and she read accounts of the triumphs 
 of the cross in heathen countries, with pecul- 
 iar delight. Not many months after we settled 
 here, a plan was devised to form a female 
 charitable society. This plan was proposed 
 to Catharine. She was much pleased with 
 it, and spared no pains to explain it to the un- 
 derstandings of her Cherokee friends. And 
 so successful were her exertions, that, at 
 the meeting for the formation of the Society, 
 at which a considerable number were present, 
 not one refused to become a member. For 
 the prosperity of this Society she manifested 
 the most tender concern till her death; and 
 she had determined, if her life should be 
 spared to reach the Arkansas country, to use 
 her exertions to form a similar Society there."* 
 
 * This Society first sent its annual collections fo the mission at 
 Dwi^ht, in the Arkansas. But the last year tlieir collection was de- 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 87 
 
 The extracts from the diary will now be 
 
 resumed, and will be continued without 
 interruption. 
 
 EXTRACTS FROM HER DIARY. 
 
 "Creek- Path May 1, 1821. Commenced 
 boarding with Mr. and Mrs. Potter. My 
 parents live two miles from this place. I 
 think I shall visit them almost every week, 
 and they will come to see me often. 
 
 u 2. I love to live here much. It is re- 
 tired, and a good place for study. Every 
 thing looks pleasant around the school-house. 
 The trees are covered with green leaves, and 
 the birds sing very sweetly. How pleasant 
 it is to be in the woods, and hear the birds 
 praising the Lord. They remind me of the 
 divine command, 'Remember thy Creator.' 
 O may I never be so stupid and senseless [as 
 to forget my Creator,] but may I remember 
 
 voted to the spread of the Gospel among the Osages. The Cherokee 
 •woman, who proposed the resolution to appropriate the money in this 
 way, observed to the Society, "The Bible tells us to do good to our 
 enemies, and I believe the Osages are the greatest enemies the Chero- 
 kees have." The sum was about ten dollars. 
 
88 MEMOIR OF 
 
 to love and serve him, the few days I live in 
 this world; for the time will soon come, when 
 I must appear before him. Help me, Lord, 
 to live to thy glory, even unto the end of my 
 life. 
 
 a I think I feel more anxious to learn, and to 
 understand the Bible perfectly, than I ever 
 did before. Although I am so ignorant, the 
 Saviour is able to prepare me for useful- 
 ness among my people. 
 
 "5. Saturday evening. Again I am brought 
 to the close of another week. How have I 
 spent my time the past week? Have I done 
 any thing for God, and any good to my fel- 
 low creatures? I fear I have done nothing to 
 glorify his holy name. Oh, how prone I am 
 to sin, and to grieve the Spirit of a holy God, 
 who is so kind in giving me time to prepare 
 for heaven. May I improve these precious 
 moments to the glory of my God. 
 
 "6. Sabbath evening. How thankful 1 
 ought to be to God, that he has permitted me 
 once more to commemorate the love of a 
 Saviour, who has shed his precious blood for 
 the remission of sin. It was indeed a solemn 
 season to me, and I hope refreshing to each 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 89 
 
 of our souls. While sitting at the table, I 
 thought of many sins, which I had committed 
 against God, through my life, and how much 
 I deserved to be cast out from his presence 
 forever. But the Son of God, who was 
 pleased to come down from the bosom of his 
 Father, to die on the cross for sinners like 
 me, will, I hope, save me from death, and at 
 last raise me to mansions of eternal rest, 
 where I shall sit down with my blessed Jesus. 
 "8. This evening I have nothing to com- 
 plain of, but my unfaithfulness both to God 
 and my own soul. Have not improved my 
 precious moments as I ought. Have learned 
 but little in school, though my privileges are 
 greater than those of many others. While 
 they are ignorant of God, and have no op- 
 portunity to hear or learn about him, I am 
 permitted to live with the children of God, 
 where I am instructed to read the Bible, and 
 to understand the character of Jesus. O may 
 I be enabled to follow the example of my 
 teachers, to live near the Saviour, and to do 
 much good. I wish very much to be a mis- 
 sionary among my people. If I had an edu- 
 
90 MEMOIR OF 
 
 cation but perhaps I ought not to think of 
 
 it. I am not worthy to be a missionary. 
 
 "14. Mr. Hoyt called on us this week, on 
 his return from Mayhew. He gives us much 
 interesting intelligence respecting the Choc- 
 taw mission. Mr. Hoyt expected to have 
 brought Dr. Worcester with him, but he was 
 too sick to travel, and was obliged to stay 
 behind. He hopes to be able to come on 
 soon. I long to see him. He has done a 
 great deal towards spreading the Gospel, not 
 only in this nation, but in other heathen na- 
 tions of the earth. May the Lord restore his 
 health, that he may see some fruits among 
 the heathen, for whom he has been so long 
 labouring. 
 
 "29. This day 1 spent my time very pleas- 
 antly at home with my dear friends. Find 
 that brother John is the same humble be- 
 liever in Jesus, walking in the Christian path. 
 I am truly happy to meet my dear parents 
 and sisters in health, and rejoicing in the 
 hope of eternal glory. O may God ever de- 
 light to bless them, and to pour his Spirit 
 richly into their hearts. I am much pleased 
 to see them making preparations for the 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 91 
 
 Sabbath. They have been engaged to-day 
 in preparing such food, &c. as they thought 
 would be wanting to-morrow. I think brother 
 John and sister Susannah have done much 
 good here with respect to the Sabbath. 
 
 "30. This day attended another solemn 
 meeting in the house of God. Mr. Potter 
 preached by an interpreter. I think more 
 people than usual attended. All seemed at- 
 tentive to hear the word of God. Mr. P. 
 spoke of the importance of keeping the 
 Sabbath holy. 1 hope it will not be in vain 
 to all those who were present. 
 
 June 4. This day being the first Monday in 
 the month, the people met to pray and receive 
 religious instruction. It was truly an inter- 
 esting time. The congregation, though .-mall, 
 was serious. One man and his wife, who 
 have been for some time in an anxious state 
 of mind remained alter the meeting, and Mr. 
 and Mrs. P. earnestly entreated them to seek 
 the Lord while he was near unto them. They 
 appeared very solemn, and said they wished 
 to know more about God, that they might 
 serve him the rest of their days. We hope 
 and pray, that they may be truly converted, 
 
92 MEMOIR OF 
 
 and become our dear brother and sister in the 
 Lord. 
 
 " July 1. This day I have enjoyed much. 
 Was permitted once more to sit down at the 
 table of the Lord, and commemorate his dy- 
 ing love. O how good is the Saviour in 
 permitting me to partake of his grace. May 
 I improve my great privileges in the manner 
 I shall wish I had done, when I come to leave 
 the world. — P. M. Went to Mr. G.'s, where 
 Mr. Potter preaches once in two weeks. 
 Most of the people present were whites, from 
 the other side of the river. It was pleasant 
 to hear a sermon preached without an inter- 
 preter. 
 
 u Sept. 2. Think I have had a good time 
 to-day, in praying to my heavenly Father. I 
 see nothing to trouble me, but my own wicked 
 heart. It appears to me, that the more I 
 wish to serve God, the more I sin. I seem 
 never to have done any thing good in the 
 sight of God. But the time is short, when I 
 shall be delivered from this body of sin, and 
 enter the kingdom of heaven. 
 
 "3. The first Monday in the month. No 
 ^oubt many Christians have been this day 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 93 
 
 praying for my poor nation, as well as for 
 other heathen nations of the earth. O why 
 do I live so little concerned for my own soul, 
 and for the souls of others? Why is it that I 
 pray no more to God? Is it because he is not 
 merciful? Oh no. He is good, kind, merci- 
 ful, always ready to answer the prayers of his 
 children. O for more love to my Saviour 
 than I now have. 
 
 "4. I am now with my sister, with whom I 
 expect to spend a few days. I hope the Lord 
 will make our communion sweet. 
 
 "Visited at Mr. — : s, but had no opportunity 
 of conversing with Mrs. on religious sub- 
 jects, as we intended to have done. Mr. 
 
 said he had seen so many different ways among 
 professed Christians, that it was hard to tell 
 who was right. I felt too ignorant to instruct 
 such a well educated man; though I knew, that 
 there is but one way under heaven, whereby 
 men can be saved, and that is, by coming to 
 Him, who came to seek and to save that which 
 was lost. 
 
 "9. Returned yesterday from sister G's. 
 Found the mission family in good health. I 
 cannot express how much I love the mission- 
 9 
 
94 MEMOIR OF 
 
 ries, with whom I live. I do not feel my 
 privileges, until I am away from them, and 
 mingle with worldly people. Then I long to 
 get back to be with Christians. 
 
 "I rejoice and bless my heavenly Father, 
 that he has kept my dear brother John, and 
 permitted me to meet him once more in the 
 land of the living. I am sorry to see him so 
 unwell, and fear he will not recover. But the 
 Lord's will be done, and not mine. I know 
 that he will do all things for the good of those 
 who love him. 
 
 "Left home, in company with brother John 
 and sister Susannah, [his wife,] for the pur- 
 pose of visiting the Sulphur Springs in Blount 
 county, Alabama. 
 
 "21. About noon we came to a spring, which 
 is said to possess the same qualities with those 
 we intended to visit, and we concluded to 
 make it the place of our abode for a few 
 days. We therefore pitched our tent a few 
 yards from the water, and at night spread our 
 blankets on the ground, and slept very well. 
 
 "22. Feel very uneasy respecting my bro- 
 ther, he is so unwell. May the Lord be with 
 us in this lonely place. 
 
CATHARINE BROWN- 95 
 
 "23. Brother John drinks the water, and 
 bathes in it, but has yet received no benefit. 
 I do not feel so well as I did before I came 
 here, and almost wish to return immediately. 
 Perhaps it is lying on the ground, that 
 makes me feel sick. But if brother John had 
 a comfortable place to sleep, I should not care 
 for myself. The Lord knows what is best 
 for us. 
 
 "24. We expect a boy with our horses to- 
 day, and hope to reach home tomorrow. Saw 
 Mr. J. R. to-day in a very low state of health. 
 Conversed with him a little on the subject of 
 religion. This I really felt was my duty, as 
 I thought it likely I should never have an- 
 other opportunity. He said, he was very 
 wicked, and afraid to die. I told him we 
 were all wicked, but the Saviour, who was 
 willing to die for us, would pardon our sins, 
 if we would only give ourselves to him. He 
 replied, that when he was in health, he did 
 not do his duty towards God, but if he reco- 
 vered he would try to do better. As he was 
 not able to converse much, 1 commended him 
 to God, and left him. God is able to make 
 
96 MEMOIR OF 
 
 him his dear child, and to prepare him for 
 heaven. 
 
 "Jan. 3, 1822. This was truly a solemn 
 and interesting day to me, one which will 
 never be forgotten. My dear father and mo- 
 ther were baptised in the name of the Holy 
 Trinity. How kind is our Creator, in his 
 willingness to take notice of us sinful worms 
 of the dust, and allowing us to become ac- 
 quainted with Jesus Christ. O may we walk 
 close with God, and be enabled to set such an 
 example to others, that they may be led to 
 glorify our Father, who is in heaven. 
 
 "14. Have not attended school since last 
 vacation, having been at home taking care of 
 my sick brother. He has failed very fast, 
 the past week. I fear he will not live many 
 days. The will of the Lord be done. 
 
 "16. My dear brother is very low. Per- 
 haps he will soon depart from this sinful 
 world, and fly to the arms of his blessed Re- 
 deemer. Had some conversation with him in 
 the evening. His mind seemed to be in a 
 happy state. He asked me, whether, after 
 his decease, I thought we should stay here, 
 or go to the Arkansas. I told him I hoped 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 97 
 
 he would be restored to health. He said he 
 thought that was very doubtful, and added, 
 that he thought brother Webber would come 
 for us after his departure. My heart was 
 full. I could make no reply. 
 
 u 18. Mr. Butrick and John Arch, who have 
 been visiting us for a few days past, left us 
 this morning, with the intention of going 
 through the nation, preaching Jesus Christ to 
 those, who are in darkness. This will pro- 
 bably take three months. May the Lord go 
 with his dear servants on their long journey 
 through the wilderness, and bless their labours 
 to many immortal souls. I cannot sufficiently 
 express my gratitude to God, for sending out 
 missionaries to this distant land, that we, who 
 were wanderers in the wild woods, might find 
 the road to heaven. How kindly are they 
 inviting us to come and partake of the rich 
 feast, which has been provided for all who will 
 accept it. Yet how few are willing to com- 
 ply with the invitation! Frequently do I weep 
 for my Cherokee brothers and sisters, when 
 I consider their awful situation while out of 
 Christ ; and willingly would I offer myself 
 for their assistance, were I qualified for a re- 
 *9 
 
93 MEMOIR OP 
 
 ligious teacher. I hope God will prepare me 
 to do some good among the heathen. that 
 it may be my greatest desire to do the will of 
 my heavenly Father. I am determined to 
 pray for my people, while God lends me 
 breath ; and when I die, may my Saviour re- 
 ceive me to my heavenly home, to join with 
 millions of saints in singing the praises of re- 
 deeming love through a never-ending eternity. 
 
 "29. Eternity seems near. A few days- 
 more, and if I am indeed a child of God, I 
 shall walk the golden streets of the New 
 Jerusalem. O happy day, when I shall see 
 all the Christians, who have ever lived, and 
 when God himself shall be my joy. 
 
 "30. Brother John is senseless most of the 
 time. 1 fear he is to remain but a little while 
 in this world. But in that case he will soon 
 go to his Father in heaven. May we be sub- 
 missive, knowing that he, who sent us into this 
 world, has a right to call us hence whenever 
 he sees best. Our great consolation is, that 
 our dear brother will soon be freed from 
 pain, and rest in the bosom of his dear Jesus. 
 
 "31. Had the pleasure of seeing Mr. and 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 99 
 
 Mrs. Potter at this place. I love them, as 
 my own brother and sister. 
 
 "Feb. 2. My dear brother very sick. O 
 thou blessed Jesus, take him not away by 
 this sickness. Restore him to health, that he 
 may live long, and be a great blessing to our 
 nation. But O may I be submissive to thy 
 holy will. 
 
 "Sabbath morning. Painful is it to record, 
 that my dear brother John appears, this day, 
 to be on the borders of eternity ! Lord, come 
 near to us at this time. Help us to give up 
 our dear brother into thy hands. 
 
 "Evening. Brother John is no more ! O 
 distressing thought, he has gone to return no 
 more! But we shall soon go to him. I trust, 
 indeed, we have much reason to believe he 
 has gone to Christ his Saviour. Through 
 his sickness he seemed reconciled to the will 
 of God, and said he was not afraid to die. He 
 said, that though his sufferings were great, 
 they were nothing in comparison with Christ's 
 sufferings. About a week before he died, he 
 spoke to the family as follows : — " It is now 
 more than a year since we began to follow 
 Christ, and what have we done for him ? Do 
 
100 MEMOIR OF 
 
 we live like Christians ? I fear we do not. i 
 do not hear you talk to the people about our 
 Saviour, when they come to visit you. We 
 are professors of religion, and why is it that 
 we do not show it to others ? You should 
 always remember to keep the Sabbath holy. 
 You are too much occupied in domestic con- 
 cerns on the Sabbath, so that you cannot get 
 time to converse about God.' He asked me, 
 if the missionaries did their cooking on the 
 Sabbath. 1 told him, their preparations 
 were made before the Sabbath. He said, 
 <■ that is what we ought to do.' He frequently 
 requested me to read and explain the Bible 
 to him, which was my great delight.'" 
 
 Here ends her diary. And the reader 
 will doubtless wish that all had been saved, 
 breathing, as it does, so much good sense and 
 unfeigned piety. 
 
 Of her brother John, the journal of the 
 mission at Brainerd contains the following 
 eulogium, penned on hearing of his death. 
 
 "Two years ago he was in heathenish dark- 
 ness. About that time, his brother and sister 
 told him of the Bible, and some of the impor- 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 101 
 
 tant truths it contained; and he soon felt an 
 unconquerable desire to read it. He could 
 then talk and understand familiar English. 
 Soon after, a school was opened in his neigh- 
 bourhood, and he applied himself, with the 
 most unwearied diligence, to study. In the 
 course of six months, he learned to read in- 
 telligibly; read the New Testament through 
 once, and about half through again; wrote a 
 number of legible letters to his friends; be- 
 came a hopeful convert to the Christian reli- 
 gion, and a member of the Church of Christ, 
 which he continued to adorn by an exemplary 
 life, till his departure from these dark and 
 afflictive scenes, to join, as we trust, the 
 Church of the first-born in heaven." 
 
 Soon after the decease of this brother, Ca- 
 tharine accompanied her father to Hunts- 
 ville, in the state of Alabama. 
 
 Here, either at that time, or later in the 
 season, she spent two or three months, in the 
 family of Dr. Alexander A. Campbell, a pious 
 and esteemed physician. Dr. Campbell had 
 seen her at her father's house before she 
 went to Brainerd, and was so favourably im- 
 pressed, by her personal appearance, that he 
 
102 MEMOIR OF 
 
 subsequently procured for her a Bible, and 
 some other religious books, which were for- 
 warded, but never received. 
 
 Nearly five years had elapsed since that 
 interview. Dr. Campbell's own words, ex- 
 tracted from his letter to the Rev. Mr. Potter 
 of Creek-Path, shall describe the impression, 
 which she now made upon him, and upon 
 others in Huntsville. 
 
 " She was not now the wild, untutored girl 
 she was then. She was graceful and polite, 
 and humility and benevolence beamed from 
 her countenance. Some of my acquaintance 
 were unwilling to believe she was an Indian. 
 "At your request, I returned with her to 
 her nation to see a diseased Indian child, and 
 though it was at the expense of neglecting 
 important professional business, I was amply 
 repaid, by the interesting conversation I had 
 with her, on literary and religious subjects. 
 
 "At first, she was backward to enter into 
 free conversation. A diffident reserve was a 
 prominent trait in her character. But when 
 we became well acquainted, I found her per- 
 fectly agreeable and intelligent on any ordi- 
 nary subject. But her favourite theme was 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 103 
 
 the Saviour. She dwelt much, also, on the 
 situation of her people, and manifested the 
 greatest solicitude for their spiritual interests; 
 often expressing the hope, that I would come 
 and live among them, and teach them re- 
 specting the Lord Jesus. 
 
 "During the summer of this year, she spent 
 several months in my family. A part of that 
 time she was suffering very severely from a 
 bilious fever, which she bore with all possible 
 patience and resignation, never showing that 
 peevishness and fretfulness so common in 
 persons recovering from that disease. She 
 always looked upon her afflictions as resulting 
 from the chastising hand of God, and design- 
 ed for her improvement. 
 
 "She received very marked attentions from 
 the visitors at my house, and many of the 
 principal families in the town sought an ac- 
 quaintance with her, appeared sensible of her 
 worth, and esteemed her friendship highly. 
 These attentions, so far from exciting her 
 vanity, had the effect to humble her the more. 
 She appeared ever to think much less highly 
 of herself, than others thought of her. I have 
 often been astonished to see how the flatter- 
 
104 MEMOIR OF 
 
 ing addresses and high encomiums of people 
 of elevated standing in society, seemed to 
 render her more distrustful of her own 
 worth." 
 
 This, though evidently the warm language 
 of friendship, is justified by the concurrent 
 testimony of all the intimate friends of Catha- 
 rine. 
 
 In September 1822, at the earnest request 
 of her parents, she left the family of Mr. 
 Potter to reside with them. Being engaged, 
 at that time, in some favourite studies, it 
 was a great trial to leave the school. But 
 so tender was her regard for her aged pa- 
 rents, that she made not the least objection. 
 
 Near the close of the year 1822, the Rev. 
 Reynolds Bascom, accompanied by several 
 Indian youth from the Foreign Mission School 
 at Cornwall, arrived at Creek-Path, on his 
 way to Elliot, where he designed to spend 
 a few months in missionary labour. 
 
 "Here," says Mr. Bascom, "I had an oppor- 
 tunity of seeing the precious fruits of mis- 
 sionary instruction and divine grace, in the 
 intelligence, amiable manners, and Christian 
 temper, of Catharine, and other members of 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 105 
 
 the little church which had been formed in 
 the place, chiefly among her family con- 
 nexions. 
 
 "The impression made on my mind by my 
 first interview, which was at her father's 
 house, was that of uncommon simplicity, mo- 
 desty and meekness. We arrived after the 
 family had dined, and she received us and 
 spread a table for our refreshment, with the 
 unaffected kindness of a sister. The grace- 
 fulness of her figure, and the sweetness of her 
 expression, have often been the subject of 
 remark; and I was the more delighted with 
 her humility, as I greatly feared I should 
 discover an unhappy influence from the mis- 
 judged praise, which had been heaped upon 
 her. The fact was, she gave me evidence, 
 by her habitual behaviour, of being a sancti- 
 fied child of God." 
 
 It was soon after her removal to her pater- 
 nal home, that the disease, the seeds of which 
 had, probably for several years, been germi- 
 nating in her constitution, began to assume an 
 aspect, which excited some alarm. 
 
 In consequence of this, she took a journey 
 to Brainerd, in February 1823, with the view 
 10 
 
106 MEMOIR OF 
 
 of consulting Dr. Butler, a medical gentleman 
 residing at that station. She hoped, also, to 
 derive benefit from the journey. These 
 hopes were disappointed. A cold, tempestu- 
 ous storm arose, soon after she left home, to 
 the whole of which she was unavoidably ex- 
 posed ; and the slight cough, to which she 
 had, for some time, been subject, was very 
 much increased. She spent three weeks at 
 Brainerd, and then returned to Creek-Path, 
 intending to obtain permission from her pa- 
 rents to place herself again under the care of 
 Dr. Butler. But her increased illness render- 
 ed her unable to encounter the fatigues of 
 another journey. 
 
 The narrative must now be interrupted, in 
 order that several letters, written during the 
 time embraced by this chapter, may be intro- 
 duced. A part of the first, and the fourth, 
 were published in the narrative of the "Lit- 
 tle Osage Captive." The third made its first 
 appearance in the New Haven Religious In- 
 telligencer. 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 107 
 
 TO HER BROTHER DAVID, AT CORNWALL. 
 
 Creek-Path, Aug. 12,1320. 
 
 My dear Brother, 
 
 Your dear lines I received this evening, 
 for which I thank you. I hope they will not 
 be the last you will write me. O dear brother, 
 how much it would rejoice my heart to see 
 you this evening, and converse with you face 
 to face! But our good Lord has separated us, 
 perhaps never to see each other again in this 
 world. I often think of the morning you left 
 Brainerd. It was a solemn hou ., and I trust it 
 was a sweet season to our souls. We wept, 
 and prayed, and sung together before our dear 
 Saviour: and longed for that blessed day, when 
 we should meet, to part no more. What is a 
 short separation in this world? Nothing com- 
 pared to an eternal separation! How thankful 
 we ought to be then, my dear brother, that we 
 have a hope to be saved through the blessed 
 Lamb of God. Yes, I trust when our bodies 
 shall die, our souls shall be raised above the 
 sky, where we shall dwell together, in sing- 
 ing the praises of Him who bought us with his 
 precious blood. I hope we shall meet our 
 
108 MEMOIR OF 
 
 parents, and brothers, and sisters there. Since 
 you left, the Lord has reached down his arm, 
 to take sinners from darkness, into the mar- 
 vellous light of the Gospel. Dear brother, let 
 us praise and rejoice continually in the Lord, 
 for his goodness to our dear people, in giving 
 them hearts to love and praise his holy name. 
 Surely the Lord is with us here. We feel his 
 presence. Our dear father and mother are 
 inquiring what they shall do to be saved. 
 Mother says she is grieved to think her chil- 
 dren are going to leave her behind. But she 
 says she wiLSpray as long as she lives, and 
 that the Saviour will pardon her sins, that she 
 may go with her children to heaven. 
 
 I hope you will write to our parents as often 
 as you can. I sometimes think the Saviour 
 has given them new hearts, especially our 
 dear father. He appears quite changed. 
 
 Soon after you left Brainerd, I was called 
 here to take charge of a school of females, 
 about two miles from home. I take great 
 delight in teaching. The number of girls in 
 school is twenty-eight. They are very good 
 children, and learn fast. Sister Anna is assist- 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 109 
 
 ing me in the school. She rejoices with us to 
 hear from you in this distant land. 
 
 O dear brother, I hope you will pray 
 for me. Pray that I may do good to the im- 
 mortal souls of my pupils. Sometimes the 
 work appears too great for me, and I am al- 
 most discouraged. But I know, He that has 
 called me to work in his vineyard, is able to 
 keep me. 
 
 I could tell you a great many good things, if 
 I had time. But I must stop, after asking 
 your prayers for all your Creek-Path friends. 
 I hope when you return to your nation, you 
 will find many Christians. Farewell, dear 
 brother; may the Lord be with you, and pre- 
 pare you for great usefulness in the world. 
 This is the prayer of your sister 
 
 Catharine Brown. 
 
 TO MR. AND MRS. HALL. 
 
 Creek-Path, Nov. 19, 1820. 
 My deai- Brother and Sister, 
 
 This is the first opportunity I have had 
 to answer the kind letter, which you wrote 
 some time since. I thank you for it, and hope 
 *10 
 
110 MEMOIR OF 
 
 you will forgive me for not writing sooner. I 
 think of you every day, and long to see you 
 once more in this world. I often think of the 
 happy hours we used to spend together, while 
 I was with you at Brainerd. But the happy 
 hours are gone, I fear never to return. I hope, 
 if we may not meet in this world, we may in 
 heaven, where we shall never be separated. 
 O, my dear friends, do you not sometimes 
 long to see that glorious day, when Christians 
 shall be gathered from all parts of the world 
 to sing the praises of our dear Redeemer? 
 What a day it will be for Christians! And 
 shall we be among the number? Sometimes I 
 fear I shall not be, my wicked heart is so 
 prone to sin. But 1 know the blood of Christ 
 is sufficient to wash away all my sins, and pre- 
 pare me for his eternal glory. I will, there- 
 fore, commit myself to God. It is all that I 
 can do. 
 
 O how good it is to lie at the feet of Jesus, 
 and feel ourselves purified by his blood. Then 
 we have no reason to fear what the world 
 can do unto us. 
 
 My dear friends, I cannot tell you how 
 much I love you, because you were willing to 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. Ill 
 
 leave your native land, and jour dear people, 
 to come into this heathen part of the world, 
 to instruct me and my people in the way of 
 salvation. May the Lord reward you for this 
 labour of love. Probably you must have some 
 trials to pass through, as other missionaries 
 do ; but we ought to rejoice, that we are ac- 
 counted worthy to labour for God. Our days 
 will soon be past, and if we are the children 
 of God, we shall soon be at rest in the bosom 
 of our dear Saviour. 
 
 My father, mother, brothers, and sisters, 
 wish to be remembered affectionately to you. 
 Write often. I am always happy to hear 
 from you. 
 
 From your sister, 
 
 Catharine Brown. 
 
 TO HER BROTHER DAVID. 
 
 Creek-Path, Feb. 21, 1821. 
 My deav Brother, 
 
 I received your kind letter some time 
 since, and it gave me great satisfaction to 
 hear from you. I should have written to you 
 before this time, but did not know how to send 
 
112 MEMOIR OF 
 
 to Brainerd. I am truly happy to hear that 
 you feel so well contented with your situation 
 in school, and that you are well pleased with 
 your dear instructor. Our dear parents are 
 in good health. They have removed from 
 the place where they lived before, and are 
 now living with brother John. I think they 
 have truly passed from death unto life. They 
 seem to be growing in grace and in the 
 knowledge of Him who has redeemed their 
 souls from hell. Indeed, you cannot imagine 
 how different they seem from what they did 
 when you left us. All they desire now, is to 
 do the will of our dear Saviour. This work 
 is the Lord's, and no doubt he will keep them 
 and carry them safe through this sinful world, 
 until he receives them to his heavenly king- 
 dom, O, dear brother, truly the Lord has 
 heard our prayers for the souis of our parents. 
 We have great reason to rejoice. May we 
 not say, — not unto us, but to thy name be all 
 the praise? You have doubtless heard that 
 brother John has joined the church. Dear 
 brother David, my heart is full while I am 
 writing. How shall I express my gratitude to 
 God for bringing him to a knowledge of the 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 113 
 
 Saviour. He says sometimes he feels happy 
 in praying to God, and feels willing that he 
 should do with him as seemeth good in his 
 sight. 
 
 My brother David, when we look back 
 and see what the Lord has done for our fam- 
 ily in the course of a few years, O let us call 
 upon our souls, and all that is within us, to 
 praise our God for his great blessings to us. 
 
 I sometimes long to see your face once more 
 in this world, to converse and pray with you 
 before our Saviour. I often think of the happy 
 hours, which we spent when we were at 
 Brainerd, when we first tasted the sweetness 
 of religion, and when we used to take each 
 other's hand to walk and sing cur favourite 
 hymn, 
 
 "Come we that love the Lortf ." 
 
 We then knew the happiness of saints, and 
 felt that religion was not 'designed to make our 
 pleasures less.' But now our heavenly Father 
 has separated us for a time in this world; I 
 hope for his glory, and for the good of per- 
 ishing souis around us. We have much to do 
 for our Saviour. As we hope we are chil- 
 
114 MEMOIR OF 
 
 dren of the most high God, let us be good sol- 
 diers, and not be weary in well-going, for in 
 due season we shall reap if we faint not. 
 
 Father and mother send love to you, and to 
 the scholars in Cornwall. I hope you will 
 write to us soon, and let us know how you do. 
 
 Adieu, dear brother, till we meet again, 
 
 Catharine Brown. 
 
 TO THE SAME. 
 
 Creek-Path, 1821. 
 My dear Brother, 
 
 Although we may be separated many 
 hundreds of miles, the God of the Universe, 
 whom we serve, will often give us the en- 
 joyment of himself, which you know is of far 
 greater value than all this world can afford. 
 Last Sabbath was a very solemn and inter- 
 esting day to us. Rev. Mr. W. from the 
 state of New York was here — a very pious 
 and engaged Christian. We were much re- 
 freshed by his kind instructions. I think it 
 was truly a pleasaut day to my soul. The 
 sacrament was administered, and we were 
 permitted once more to sit at the table of the 
 
 \ 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 115 
 
 Lord, and commemorate his dying love. Mr. 
 S. was baptised. Also an infant of Mrs. F, 
 named Samuel Worcester. The congregation 
 were attentive and some of them were affect- 
 ed to tears. I hope the time is not far dis- 
 tant, when all the heathen shall be brought to 
 the knowledge of the Redeemer. We have 
 recently formed a Female Society* in this 
 place. The members pay fifty cents a year. 
 I trust you will pray that we may be blessed, 
 and that we may be instrumental in the great 
 work of building up the cause of the Redeem- 
 er. I can never be sufficiently thankful to 
 God for sending us missionaries, to teach us the 
 way we should go. We love them as our 
 own brothers and sisters. That you may en- 
 joy the light of our Saviour's countenance, 
 while in this short journey of life, and finally 
 be received to mansions of eternal glory, is 
 the prayer of your sister, 
 
 Catharine Brown. 
 
 * Tht Society, of which mention was made at p. 85. 
 
116 MEMOIR OF 
 
 TO MR. AND MRS. HALL. 
 
 Creek-Paih, June 1, 1822. 
 My dear Brother and Sister Hall, 
 
 Sweet and reviving is the thought, 
 that we are not to continue long in this 
 world, but hope soon to rest in the city of 
 our God. My dear brother and sister, be pa- 
 tient in all your trials and hardships, remem- 
 bering that you are labouring for God, and 
 not for man alone. The Saviour will give 
 you an unfading crown of glory in due season. 
 I often think of the glorious day, when I shall 
 meet you, and all good missionaries, in the 
 kingdom of our Saviour. I shall then be al- 
 ways with those dear friends, who have told 
 me so much about heaven, and taught me to 
 love and serve Christ. I hope you will not 
 forget to pray, that I may possess more of the 
 spirit of Christ. 
 
 The pupils in the school here generally 
 make good improvement. The religious pros- 
 pects are encouraging. Meetings on the Sab- 
 bath, and weekly conferences, are well at- 
 tended. The church appears well. Last Sab- 
 bath I, for the first time, met my parents at 
 the table of the Lord. 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 117 
 
 I have many things to tell you; but my 
 health will not allow me to write much at one 
 time. The little I have written gives me pain. 
 My health has been feeble for some weeks 
 past, but my complaints are not alarming, 
 [shall try to visit you next vacation, if life is 
 spared. Will my dear brother and sister 
 write soon to their affectionate Catharine. 
 
 TO HER BROTHER DAVID. 
 
 Huntsville, Aug. 30, 1822. 
 My dear Brother, 
 
 I am sorry to tell you, that I have but a 
 few moments of time to write this evening:. I 
 came here the 13th inst. and expect to re- 
 turn in a few weeks. 
 
 I left our friends all very well, and walk- 
 ing in the fear of God. I should have writ- 
 ten long before this, had I not been sick; but 
 my health is now much better than it was 
 when I left home. Brother David, remem- 
 ber that your sister Catharine loves you 
 much, and prays for you every day. I trust 
 you will not return before you are prepared 
 to preach the Gospel. Let me know your 
 feelings in this respect when you write again. 
 
US MEMOIR OF 
 
 and I shall know how to pray for you. I d© 
 not expect you to go through all the studies, 
 that ministers generally do in New England, 
 but wish you to be qualified enough to with- 
 stand the enemies of God, and teach the truths 
 of Christianity. If your health does not per- 
 mit you to study, and your hesitation of speech 
 still continues, I should not think it was your 
 duty to pursue your studies. 
 
 However, I know the Lord will make every 
 path of duty plain before you. Do not think 
 we are unhappy. It is true we were greatly 
 tried, last winter, in losing our dear brother. 
 But, blessed be God, it was not more than we 
 are able to bear. 
 
 We feel it was good for us to be afflicted, 
 knowing that the Lord is good, and will always 
 do what is right. I have not time to write all 
 I wish to send you. When I return home, 
 you shall have a long letter from your affec- 
 tionate sister Catharine. 
 
 TO THE SAME, AT ANDOVER. 
 
 Creek-Path, Jan. 18, 1823. 
 My dear Brother, 
 
 Yours of Nov. 2, 1822, was received 
 a few days since. I am much gratified t© 
 
GATHARINE BROWN. 119 
 
 hear, that you are to continue in New Eng- 
 land another year. I hope you will be the 
 better qualified for usefulness to our country- 
 . Iffefr;- when you return. I pray for you daily, 
 that God may be with you and bless you in 
 your undertaking. 
 
 I feel anxious to see you, yet I am willing 
 to have you stay until you have received fur- 
 ther education. How has your mind been 
 exercised since you entered the interesting 
 Seminary at Andover? Are you living in the 
 enjoyment of the religion of Christ? We must, 
 dear brother, live near to God, and be engaged 
 in his cause, if we would be his followers. Let 
 us, then, not calculate to live in idleness and 
 ease, unconcerned for the salvation of souls. 
 
 We are under great obligations to honour 
 God before the world, and to be active in 
 his service. Let us not hide our talents in 
 the earth, for the Lord will require them of 
 us. There is a crown of glory laid up for 
 those who are faithful unto the end. 
 
 It is now eleven months, since our dear 
 brother John departed from this lower world, 
 and entered the unseen regions of eternity, 
 where I hope ne is now walking in the 
 
120 MEMOIR OF 
 
 streets of the New Jerusalem, filled with 
 holy love. Oh boundless love, and matchless 
 grace, of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! 
 How happy shall we feel when we land on 
 the shores of eternal felicity. There we 
 shall meet our dear brother, and all who 
 have gone before us, and shall reign in the 
 paradise of God forever and ever. 
 
 I often think of our relations in the Arkan- 
 sas, I long to hear of their conversion. Let 
 us not neglect to pray for them daily; partic- 
 ularly for brother W. The Lord, I hope, 
 will renew his heart, and make him abun- 
 dantly useful to the cause of missions. 
 
 We rejoice to see brother A. once more in 
 pur dwellings. After a long journey from 
 the Arkansas country, he arrived here, much 
 fatigued, in the latter part of November. He 
 intends to spend a few months with us, and 
 then return with sister Susan. I do not feel 
 very well about her going into the wilder- 
 ness, and far from Christian society, where 
 she will perhaps have no religious instruc* 
 tion. 
 
 Her mother has removed thirty or forty 
 miles from the missionary station [at Dwight.] 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 121 
 
 But we commend her into the hands of the 
 Almighty, who is able to keep her from evil, 
 and from all the temptations of this delusive 
 world. I am glad to hear from our relations 
 in that country. Brother Walter was expect- 
 ing to set out in a few days for the city of 
 Washington, and had thoughts of visiting some 
 of the northern States before he returned. 
 It is likely you may see him in New England. 
 He has placed brother Edmund in the mis- 
 sionary school at Dwight, to continue three 
 or four years. He has become very steady 
 and attentive to his books. I hope the Lord 
 will give him a new heart, and prepare him 
 for usefulness. 
 
 Brother W. has given up trading, and has 
 commenced farming. He has purchased land 
 in the Osage country, at the Salt Springs. 
 Whether he intends removing his family to 
 that place, 1 know not. It is my prayer, that 
 he may be brought to bow to the sceptre of 
 King Jesus, in whom is life everlasting. As 
 for our going to the Arkansas, it is not decid- 
 ed. Perhaps we shall know better, when 
 you return. You know mother is always 
 very anxious to remove to that country, but 
 *11 
 
122 MEMOIR OF 
 
 father is not. For my own part, I feel 
 willing to do whatever is duty, and the will 
 of our parents. I feel willing to go, or stay. 
 The Lord will direct all things right, and in 
 him may we put all our trust. 
 
 We had the pleasure of seeing your school- 
 mates McKee and Israel Folsom They 
 called on us on their way to the Choctaw 
 nation. They said there were many good 
 people at the north. They had rather live 
 among the Yankees, than any other people. I 
 hope they will be very useful to their nation. 
 
 Mr. Potter has gone to Brainerd on some 
 business, and I shall stay with Mrs. P. until 
 he returns. We expect him home this week. 
 I hope he will bring a large packet of letters 
 from our Brainerd friends. Mrs. P. is engag- 
 ed in teaching school while her husband is 
 absent. Several of the scholars are very at- 
 tentive, and make good progress in their 
 studies. Sarah is in the tirst class. She is 
 a good girl to learn, and is much beloved by 
 her teacher. She has begun to read the 
 Bible in course, and has read partly through 
 the [Memoirs of Miss Caroline Smelt. When 
 1 wrote to you last, I was in a declining state 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 123 
 
 of health, and for that reason I left my studies 
 to have more exercise. The Lord has been 
 pleased to restore me to my usual health, 
 and 1 now feel pretty well. 
 
 I spent two months in Huntsville, last 
 spring, in the family of Dr. Campbell. Mrs. 
 
 is a very pious and engaged Christian. 
 
 I became acquainted with several pious fami- 
 lies in Huntsville, who, I believe, feel inter- 
 ested in the cause of missions. The pious 
 ladies made up clothing for the children in 
 Creek-Path. We hope this is only the be- 
 ginning of a missionary spirit in that place. 
 
 I am glad to tell you, that our female So- 
 ciety is growing in its numbers. We have 
 collected nearly double the sum this year 
 that we did last. The Society has concluded 
 to send our money for this year to the Ar- 
 kansas mission. 
 
 I am glad the people are so willing to 
 assist in advancing the Redeemers kingdom 
 in our heathen land. May the glorious period 
 soon arrive, when all the nations of the earth 
 shall oe brought to the knowledge of the 
 truth as it is in Jesus. Oh, dear brother, 
 though we are widely separated in person, 
 
124 MEMOIR OF 
 
 yet we are near in spirit, and can unite our 
 prayers for the approach of this happy day. 
 O let us do with our might what our hands 
 find to do. I am now in my little study. 
 I have spent in this room many happy hours 
 in prayer to my Heavenly Father. But Oh, 
 how cold and stupid my heart is! How little I 
 feel for the salvation of souls! 
 
 Oh, for a closer walk with God, 
 A calm and heavenly frame ; 
 And light to shine upon the road, 
 That leads me to the Lamb. 
 
 Please to write soon, and tell me every 
 thing respecting your present situation. 
 
 Catharine Brown. 
 
 TO THE SAME. 
 
 Brainerd, Feb. 10, 1823. 
 My dear brother David, 
 
 I am at Brainerd, on a visit from Creek- 
 Path. My heart is filled with gratitude to 
 God, in being permitted to see these dear 
 missionaries once more, and unite with them 
 in praise to our Lord and Saviour. I feel 
 truly attached to Brainerd, where I first 
 found the Saviour; and O how I love the dear 
 sisters, with whom I have spent many happy 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 125 
 
 hours, both in school, and in walking to the 
 house of worship. But those happy hours 
 are past. We must be contented, and look 
 forward to that day when we shall meet to 
 part no more. 
 
 I left home last week, in company with 
 Mr. Boudinot, and sister Susan. Hope my 
 journey will be beneficial to my health. If 
 our dear father and mother are willing, I 
 intend to pursue study again, as soon as I 
 return home. 
 
 There is some seriousness among the peo- 
 ple in our neighbourhood. Several are very 
 anxious to receive religious instruction. When 
 I return, 1 think I shall make it my business 
 to go round, once in two weeks, to read and 
 explain the Scriptures to the females. 
 
 I cannot but hope the Lord will continue 
 to have mercy on our people, and will bring 
 many to the knowledge of the truth as it is 
 in Jesus. 
 
 I hope you will write to our dear parents 
 soon. The)' are always happy to hear from 
 you. 
 
 From your affectionate sister 
 
 Catharine Brown. 
 
12 6 MEMOIR OF 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 HER SICKNESS AND DEATH. 
 
 Brief agitations of her mind. — Her love for her 
 people. — Is visited by Dr. Campbell. — Letter 
 to Mrs. Campbell. — Alarming symptom in her 
 disease. — Her resignation and consolations. — 
 Dr. Campbell advises her removal to Lime- 
 stone. — State of her mind at this time. — 
 Strong jnanifestations of affection for her at 
 Creek-Path. — Account of her removal. — Tem- 
 porary improvement in her health. — Dictates 
 a letter to her brother David. — Hopes of her 
 recovery relinquished. — This fact stated to her 
 father and herself. — Her last hours, death, 
 and burial. — Monument over her grave. 
 
 The attention of the reader is now invited to 
 the closing scenes in the life of Catharine, 
 where her faith in her Saviour will be seen 
 to have been signally triumphant over the 
 terrors »f the grave. 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 127 
 
 After she returned from Brainerd, she seems 
 generally to have considered her removal from 
 the world as not very distant, and to have 
 spent much time in reflecting on death and 
 its consequences. These suhjectsshe not un- 
 frequently made the topics of conversation. 
 One instance of this kind is described by Mrs. 
 Potter. 
 
 "Entering her room, one evening, at an 
 early hour, I found she had retired with un- 
 usual debility. She requested me to read, 
 from some medical author, the symptoms of 
 consumption. I complied; and, after compar- 
 ing them with her own, she expressed a be- 
 lief, that she had that disease. I inquired what 
 were her feelings in view of this conclusion. 
 She replied, with tears, 'I am not prepared 
 to die.' You have a hope, I said, of happi- 
 ness beyond the grave? 'Yes, I have a hope 
 resting on the promises of the Saviour; but I 
 have been unfaithful!' 
 
 "We were both too much affected to say 
 more, and remained for some time silent. 
 At length Catharine sweetly raised her voice 
 and said, 'Sister Potter how beautiful is this 
 hymn;' and then she repeated 
 
1 28 MEMOIR OF 
 
 •Why should we start and fear to die! 
 
 What timorous worms we mortals are! 
 Death is the gate of endless joy, 
 
 And yet we dread to enter there. 
 
 'The pains, and groans, and dying strife 
 
 Fright our approaching souls away; 
 Still we shrink back again to life, 
 Fond of our prison and our clay. 
 
 'Oh, if my Lord would come and meet, 
 
 My soul should stretch her wings in haste; 
 Fly fearless through death's iron gate, 
 
 Nor feel the terrors as she passed. 
 
 'Jesus can make a dying bed 
 
 Feel soft as dowTiy pillows are, 
 While on his breast I lean my head, 
 
 And breathe my life out sweetly there.' 
 
 "I inquired if she could adopt this as the 
 language of her heart, and she answered, 
 with great meekness, that she hoped she 
 could." 
 
 It does not appear, that, after this, her mind 
 was again seriously disturbed by apprehen- 
 sions respecting her own future well-being. 
 
 But when she saw her aged parents in an 
 infirm state of health, and needing all the at- 
 tentions of an affectionate daughter, and when, 
 moreover, she reflected how many of her dear 
 people remained ignorant of the only Saviour 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 129 
 
 of sinners, she clung to life, and her earnest 
 prayer was, that she might recover. We are 
 informed, that her trials from these sources 
 uere, at one time, very severe. 
 
 She said to a beloved friend, "I know, 
 that it is my duty to submit entirely to the 
 will of God. He can carry on his work 
 without me. He can take care of my par- 
 ents. Yet I am anxious to recover. I wish to 
 labour more for my people." 
 
 How strong her desires were for the im- 
 provement of her people, is further evident 
 from this fact, that though David was the only 
 surviving brother, who had the same mother 
 with herself, and though he was dearer to her 
 than any one else, except her parents, she was, 
 for some time, unwilling he should be inform- 
 ed of her sickness, lest he should be induced 
 to leave' his studies, and come home to see 
 her. Much as she loved him, she said she 
 had rather he would remain in New England, 
 until he was prepared to preach Christ to his 
 countrymen. 
 
 In April she was visited by that kind friend 
 of herself and family, Dr. Campbell. He 
 strongly advised, that she should remove to 
 12 
 
130 MEMOIR OF 
 
 his house, thinking it probable that he might 
 then relieve her. Her friends all consented, 
 only desiring her to remain at home a few 
 days, till the departure of her brother Web- 
 ber, who had come from the Arkansas. But 
 his stay was unexpectedly prolonged a month. 
 During this time, Catharine failed so rapidly, 
 that she was unable to ride to Limestone, 
 where Dr. Campbell then resided. 
 
 On this occasion, Catharine thus wrote to 
 Mrs. Campbell. 
 
 Creek-Path, Jipril 17, 1823. 
 My dear Mrs. Campbell. 
 
 My heart was made truly glad this morn- 
 ing, by the arrival of Dr. Campbell. I have 
 long been very anxious to see him, on account 
 of the low state of my health. For two months 
 past, it has been declining, and I am now re- 
 duced to extreme debility. This affliction I 
 view as coming from my heavenly Father. I 
 deserve correction, and hopeto bear the chas- 
 tising rod with humble submission. 
 
 I have a wish to recover, that I may be 
 useful to my poor countrymen, but know, that 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 131 
 
 all human means will be ineffectual without 
 the blessing of God. I pray that Dr. Camp- 
 bell may be the instrument in his hands of 
 restoring me to health. If the weather were 
 pleasant, I should be disposed to return with 
 him. 
 
 I thank you for your present, and wish I 
 had something valuable to send in return. Dr. 
 Campbell will hand you a little ribbond. When 
 you wear it, remember Catharine. 
 
 Mrs. P. sends love, and hopes to receive a 
 visit from you ere long. Much love to the 
 children. 
 
 Farewell, my friend, my sister. May heaven 
 grant you its choicest blessings, and reward 
 you an hundred fold for all your kindness to 
 me. Again I say, farewell. May we meet 
 in heaven. Yours affectionately. 
 
 Catharine Brown. 
 
 As she approached nearer to eternit}', her 
 faith evidently grew T stronger, and she became 
 more and more able cheerfully to resign, not 
 only herself, but her parents, her friends, her 
 people, her all, to the disposal of her Lord, 
 
132 MEMOIR OF 
 
 May 15th she was reduced very low by a 
 hemorrhage from the lungs, and Tor a few days 
 was viewed as upon the borders of the grave. 
 
 Before this alarming symptom, it had been 
 proposed to send again for Dr. Campbell. 
 But her parents were persuaded first to try 
 the skill of some Indian practitioners. Their 
 prescriptions were followed, until the hemor- 
 rhage occurred. Then her alarmed parents 
 sent immediately for Mr. Potter, hoping he 
 could do something 'to relieve their darling 
 child. Providentially the Rev. Reynolds Bas- 
 com, of whom mention has been already 
 made, had just arrived from the Choctaw na- 
 tion, on his way to the northern States; and 
 having been afflicted in a similar manner him- 
 self, he was able to administer effectual rem- 
 edies. 
 
 It is pleasing to be able to insert here the 
 notice-, which Mr. Bascom made, at the time, 
 respecting his interview with her, in this 
 hour of trial. 
 
 "May 15. Rode to brother Potter's, be- 
 fore breakfast. Soon after our arrival, a 
 message came, that Catharine Brown had 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 133 
 
 been taken with bleeding at the lungs, and 
 brother Potter was requested to visit her. 
 We accordingly rode over to her father's 
 house immediately after breakfast, and found 
 her entirely prostrated by a copious hemor- 
 rhage. After bleeding her in the arm, she 
 experienced a sensible relief. 
 
 "16. Visited Catharine, with brother Pot- 
 ter, and found it necessary to bleed her again. 
 Conversed and prayed with her, and left her 
 in a peaceful frame of mind. 
 
 "19. Left Creek-Path for Brainerd. Bro- 
 ther Potter rode with us to Mr. Brown's. 
 Catharine appeared sweetly composed. Her 
 countenance was cheerful, and her soul filled 
 with tenderness and filial trust in God. After 
 conversation and prayer, I asked her what 
 she would have me say to her brother David. 
 
 "She replied, ; Tell him not to be uneasy 
 about me. If I do not meet him in this world, 
 I hope to meet him in heaven. I have a 
 great desire to see him, but the Lord may 
 not permit us to meet here.' These words 
 were spoken in a low, but audible whisper, 
 and with the significant emphasis of a heart 
 filled with faith and love. 
 *12 
 
134 MEMOIR OF 
 
 " I have rarely, if ever, seen a more lovely 
 object for the pencil, than she appeared to 
 me on her dying bed. The natural mildness 
 of her features seemed lighted with a beam 
 of heavenly hope, and her whole aspect was 
 that of a mature Christian, waiting, with filial 
 patience, the welcome summons to the pre- 
 sence of her Lord." 
 
 Mrs. Potter says, — "Death was now dis- 
 armed of his terrors. She could look into 
 the grave without alarm. She confessed her 
 sins with great meekness, and mourned that 
 she had not been more faithful in the service 
 of God; yet rejoiced to resign her soul into 
 the hands of her Redeemer. 
 
 "Once, when I visited her, she affection- 
 ately took my hand and said, — 'My dear sister, 
 I have been wishing to see you, for several 
 days. I have thought a great deal of you and 
 Mr. Potter. I love you much, but am going 
 to leave you. I think 1 shall not live long. 
 You have done much for me. I thank you, 
 and hope the Lord will reward you. I am 
 willing to die, if it be the will of God. I 
 know that 1 have experienced his love. 1 
 have no desire to live in this world, but to do 
 good. But God can carry on his work with- 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 135 
 
 out ine. I hope you will continue the meet- 
 ings of females. You must not be discourag- 
 ed. T thought when I should get to the 
 Arkansas, I would form a society among the 
 females, like ours. But I shall never live to 
 get there. I feel for my dear parents, but 
 the Lord will take care of them.' 
 
 "At another interview she said, — 'I feel 
 perfectly resigned to the will of God. I 
 know he will do right with his children. I 
 thank God, that I am entirely in his hands. I 
 feel willing to live, or die, as he thinks best. 
 My only wish is, that he may be glorified. I 
 hope, should I ever recover, I shall be more 
 faithful in the cause of Christ, than I have 
 ever been.' " 
 
 A request was sent to Dr. Campbell to visit 
 her as soon as possible. But he was unable 
 to come till the 21st, by which time Catha- 
 rine was so much enfeebled, as to be entirely 
 confined to her room. She could not even 
 raise herself without assistance. The physi- 
 cian gave it as his opinion, that she could live 
 but a few days, unless she was removed to 
 Limestone, it being impossible for him to at- 
 tend on her at so great a distance. Whether 
 
136 MEMOIR OF 
 
 such a removal was possible, was at first 
 doubted. But a kind Providence furnished 
 unexpectedly such facilities for the measure, 
 that it was determined on. 
 
 Before entering on an account of her re- 
 moval, some further notices of the state of 
 her mind will be given. 
 
 Just before her leaving home, she request- 
 ed a friend to write thus, on her behalf, to 
 her brother David. "I am entirely resigned 
 to the will of God, and hope you will feel the 
 same resignation. I am perfectly willing to 
 die, or to live, as the Lord shall direct. This 
 world is nothing but sin. I have no wish to 
 live in it f but to do good. If it be the Lord's 
 will to take me now, I am willing to go." 
 
 "Religious confidence and tranquillity,'* 
 says Dr. Campbell, "were at this time her 
 sweet companions. How happy she seemed 
 in my view, so near the confines of the eter- 
 nal world, about to relinquish all earthly 
 cares and sorrows for the enjoyment of her 
 dear Redeemer's presence! 
 
 "On the 23d, she seemed to have the most 
 cheering evidence of her interest in the Lord 
 Jesus. Thus she exclaimed, — l Now I am 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 137 
 
 ready to die. Oh, how delightful is the view 
 of my Saviour! How happy shall I he, when 
 I arrive at my Father's house.' 
 
 "On being asked, what would he her feel- 
 ings, if it was the will of God she should live, 
 she replied; 'The Lord's will be done, and 
 not mine, U I can promote his cause in any 
 way, I am desirous to live. But if I am taken 
 away, I hope my brother David will be use- 
 ful, in bringing our benighted nation to a 
 knowledge of Jesus.' 
 
 "Her soul appeared full, and more than 
 full, of love to God. She spoke much of his 
 goodness to her, and expressed much regret, 
 that she had done so little in his cause. The 
 day preceding this, she had expressed a wish 
 to go io LLmtsville, and unite with Mrs. L. 
 and C. in forming an association for prayer, 
 and in endeavouring to do something for the 
 cause of Christ." 
 
 Catharine was now unable to endure the 
 motion of a carriage, even for a short dis- 
 tance. It would be necessary, therefore, in 
 proceeding to Limestone, to carry her on a 
 litter to the Tennessee river, which was six 
 miles distant; then to take her in a boat 
 
13S MEMOIR OF 
 
 down the river, forty miles, to a village 
 named Trienna ; and from thence, on a litter 
 again, about five miles, to Dr. Campbell's. 
 But, in order to the successful prosecution of 
 this enterprise, the aid of some person, 
 through the whole distance, who was ac- 
 quainted with the English language, was in- 
 dispensable. And it should be thankfully noted, 
 that, just when the question of removal was 
 agitated, Mr. William Leech, a pious ac- 
 quaintance from Huntsville, providentially 
 arrived at Creek-Path, and very kindly ten- 
 dered his services. 
 
 Monday, the 26th of May, was the time 
 appointed for commencing the journey. 
 
 "Numbers," says Mrs. Potter, "assembled 
 to take, as they feared, and as it proved, a 
 last look of their beloved friend. After a 
 prayer, in which she was commended to the 
 divine protection, the canoe was announced 
 to be in readiness, and we followed the litter, 
 borne by her affectionate people, to the river. 
 Old and young were bathed in tears, and 
 some were obliged to use their influence to 
 prevent a general and loud lamentation. Ca- 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 139 
 
 tharine alone was calm, while she bade fare- 
 well to those she tenderly loved." 
 
 Mr. Leech says, that small groups of her 
 acquaintance were frequently seen on the 
 road, waiting her approach. When she ar- 
 rived where they were, they would hasten 
 to the side of the litter, take her by the 
 hand, and often walk away without speaking 
 a word, the tears all the while rolling down 
 their cheeks.'" 
 
 Two or three extracts from Mr. Leech's 
 narrative of the voyage and journey, from 
 the time of her embarkation on the river, 
 will be inserted. 
 
 "About 4 o'clock, P. M. on the 26th, we 
 began to glide quite pleasantly down the 
 stream, accompanied by several of Catha- 
 rine's relatives. Our design was to stop as 
 soon as it became dark, until the moon arose. 
 But we could discover no suitable place for 
 landing, till daylight was gone, and then the 
 difficulty was increased. The margin of the 
 river was generally covered with brush- 
 wood. In some places, the shore was a deep 
 mire; at others, there were bluffs and rocks. 
 This made landing difficult and dangerous in 
 
140 MEMOIR OF 
 
 the dark ; and along this part of the river 
 were scarcely any settlements. 
 
 "At length the danger of running was such, 
 as to determine us to get upon the land in 
 some way. We accordingly steered towards 
 the shore, and providentially discovered a 
 good landing-place, near which was also a 
 house, where our party was kindly entertain- 
 ed, and our various wants supplied. Had 
 we passed this place, we should not have 
 found such another, for twenty miles. 
 
 "When the moon was sufficiently risen, we 
 again started. The night was beautiful, and 
 the rocks and mountains, towering up from 
 the river's brink, looked grand, by the moon- 
 light, as we passed along. The next day the 
 heat of the sun was excessive, and we did not 
 reach Trienna till one o'clock in the after- 
 noon. 
 
 "Here we were all strangers. I had, how- 
 ever, a letter from Dr. Campbell to a young 
 gentleman, which I delivered. He obtained 
 a carriage, but Catharine was too weak to 
 ride in it. How to procure people enough, 
 in this land of strangers, to carry her in a 
 litter to Dr. C.'s, a distance of five miles, I 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 141 
 
 knew not. But our situation becoming known, 
 men were soon at hand to carry her, free of 
 all expense. 
 
 "And here I would observe, that every 
 person, who saw her, was, so far as I could 
 discover, much interested in her behalf. 
 
 "When we were ready to start, our young 
 friend, to whom I brought the letter, placed 
 the mother and sister of Catharine in the 
 carriage, and went himself with them. Thus 
 we were assisted on our way, the Lord put- 
 ting it into the hearts of strangers to afford us 
 every facility in their power, and we arrived 
 at Dr. Campbell's, a little before dark, on 
 the 27th." 
 
 Here, not less than at her father's house, 
 she found friends, who were ready to make 
 any sacrifice for her comfort, and with whom 
 she could freely converse on the subject, 
 which lay nearest her heart. Under the 
 skilful care of Dr. Campbell, she soon be- 
 gan to amend, and hopes were entertained 
 that she would even partially recover. 
 
 Early in June, her dear friend, Mrs. Potter, 
 came from Creek-Path to see her. 
 13 
 
142 MEMOIR OF 
 
 This lady, in a letter to the Corresponding 
 Secretary of the American Board, says: "She 
 then seemed to think she might recover; 
 but manifested no wish to live, unless it 
 should be for the glory of God. She said, 
 'When I enjoy the presence of the Saviour, 
 1 long to be gODe.' 
 
 "While at Dr. Campbell's, I wrote a letter 
 to her brother David, informing him of her 
 illness. When about to close the letter, I 
 went to her bed-side and said, 'Catharine, 
 what shall I say to your brother for you?' 
 
 "After a short pause, she replied, 'If you 
 will write, I will dictate a short letter.' 
 
 "Then raising herself in the bed, and wiping 
 away a tear, that was falling- from her eye, 
 she, with a sweet smile, began to relate what 
 God had done for her soul while upon that 
 sick bed. 
 
 "To my partial eye, she was, at that mo- 
 ment, an interesting spectacle, and I have 
 often wished, that her portrait could then 
 have been taken. Her countenance was soft- 
 ened with the affectionate remembrance of an 
 endeared brother; her cheek was a little 
 flushed with the exertion of speaking, her 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 143 
 
 eye beamed with spiritual joy, and a hea- 
 venly smile animated the whole scene. I 
 shall never forget it, nor the words she then 
 whispered in my ear." 
 
 The reader will naturally desire to see the 
 letter, which was dictated and penned under 
 circumstances so interesting. It was written 
 in exact accordance with her dictation, and 
 was as follows. 
 
 Limestone, June 13, 1823- 
 
 My dear Brother, 
 
 Mrs. Potter has told you the particu- 
 lars of my illness. I will only tell you what 
 I have experienced on my sick-bed. 
 
 I have found, that it is good for me to be 
 afflicted. The Saviour is very precious to 
 me. I often enjoy his presence, and I long to 
 be where I can enjoy it without sin. 1 have 
 indeed been brought very low, and did not ex- 
 pect to live until this time. But I have had 
 joy, such as I never experienced before. I 
 longed to be gone; was ready to die at any 
 moment. 
 
144 MEMOIR OF 
 
 I love you very much, and it would be a 
 great happiness to me to see you again in this 
 world. Yet 1 don't know that I shall. God 
 only knows. We must submit to his will. 
 We know, that if we never meet again in this 
 world, the Lord has prepared a place in his 
 heavenly kingdom, where 1 trust we shall 
 meet, never to part. We ought to be thank- 
 ful for what he has done for us. If he had 
 not sent us the Gospel, we should have died 
 without any knowledge of the Saviour. 
 
 You must not be grieved, when you hear 
 of my illness. You must remember, that 
 this world is not our home, that we must all 
 die soon. 
 
 I am here under the care of Dr. Campbell, 
 and his very kind family. My mother and 
 sister Susan are with me. Since I came here, 
 I have been a great deal better, and the doc- 
 tor sometimes gives enconrairement of my 
 getting well. But we cannot tell. 1 am will- 
 ing to submit myself to the will of God. I am 
 willing to die, or live, as he sees best. 
 
 1 know 1 am his. He has bought me with his 
 blood, and I do not wish to have any will but 
 his. He is good, and can do nothing wrong. 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 145 
 
 I trust, if he spares my life, he will enable me 
 to be faithful to his cause. 1 have no desire 
 to lire in this world, but to be engaged in his 
 service. 
 
 It was my intention to instruct the people 
 more than I had done, when 1 returned from 
 Brainerd; but when I got home, I was not able 
 to do it. 
 
 It was a great trial to me not to be able to 
 visit our neighbours, and instruct them. But 
 I feel that it is all right. It is my prayer 
 that you may be useful, and I hope the Lord 
 will make you useful to our poor people. 
 
 From your affectionate sister 
 
 Catharine. 
 
 How much soever her hopes, and those of 
 her friends were raised at this period, with 
 respect to her recovery, they were of brief 
 duration. Though every attention, which 
 an unwearied kindness could bestow, was 
 given her, and prayer was offered continu- 
 ally on her behalf, her Lord and Master 
 was pleased to hasten her departure. She 
 had entered the last six weeks of her life, 
 13* 
 
146 MEMOIR OP 
 
 and thenceforward her descent towards the 
 grave, was regular and unremitted. 
 
 Dr. Campbell now thought it his duty to in- 
 form her parents and herself, that his hopes, 
 even of her partial recovery, were gone. 
 
 Upon communicating this intelligence to 
 her father, who a little before had come to 
 Limestone, the good old man, after a solemn 
 silence of several minutes, observed, u The 
 Lord has been good to give me such a child, 
 and he has a right to take her when he 
 thinks best. But though it is my duty to give 
 her up, it is hard to part with her." 
 
 Catharine received the notice without 
 manifesting the least alarm, only requesting 
 the doctor to inform her, how long she might 
 probably live. 
 
 On the morning of July 17th, she was sup- 
 posed to have commenced her last agonies, 
 and Dr. Campbell was immediately called to 
 her bed-side. 
 
 U I found," says he, "some appearance of 
 anxiety on her countenance, which was the 
 result of new sensations of bodily distress, 
 end not of any agitation of mind. As soon as 
 she could speak, (for she was sometimes 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 147 
 
 speechless,) extending her hand to me, she 
 calmly observed, *i am gone.' 
 
 "Some hours after this, when her distress 
 returned, and her respiration became very 
 difficult and painful, she said, in reference to 
 her sufferings, 'What shall I do?' I inquired, 
 if, in this trying hour, she could not confi- 
 dently rely on her Saviour ? She answered, 
 'Yes.' 
 
 "Through the day her mind was perfectly- 
 tranquil, and though several times, when her 
 mother and friends were weeping about her, 
 the tears would start into her eyes, she would 
 quickly suppress them. She seemed to spend 
 most of the time in prayer. 
 
 "The night was one of considerable dis- 
 tress, owing to her difficulty of breathing. 
 In the morning she looked toward the win- 
 dow, and asked me if it was not day. I 
 replied, that it was. She then turned her 
 eyes towards heaven, and an indescribable 
 placidness spread over her countenance. 
 
 "Perhaps she thought, that the next morn- 
 ing she should behold, would be the morning 
 of the resurrection. 
 
148 MEMOIR OF 
 
 "As death advanced, and the powers of na- 
 ture gave way, she frequently offered her 
 hand to the friends around her bed. Her 
 mother and sister weeping over her, she 
 looked steadily at the former, for a short 
 time, filial love beaming from her eyes; and 
 then, — she closed them in the sleep of 
 death. 
 
 "She expired without a groan, or a strug- 
 gle. Even those around the bed scarcely 
 knew, that the last breath had left her, until 
 I informed them she was gone. 
 
 "Thus fell asleep this lovely saint, in the 
 arms of her Saviour, a little past 6 o'clock, 
 on the morning of July 13th, 1823." 
 
 Her afflicted relatives conveyed her re- 
 mains to Creek-Path, where they were, on 
 the 20th, deposited near the residence of her 
 parents, and by the side of her brother John, 
 who had died about a year and a half be- 
 fore, in the triumphs of the same faith. 
 
 Her age was about twenty-three; and six 
 years had elapsed from her first entering the 
 school atBrainerd. She was then a heathen, 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 149 
 
 But she became enlightened and sanctified, 
 through the instrumentality of the Gospel of 
 Jesus, preached to her by the missionaries of 
 the cross; and her end was glorious. 
 
 A neat monument of wood, erected by her 
 bereaved relatives, covers the grave where 
 she was laid. And though, a few years 
 hence, this monument may no longer exist to 
 mark .the spot where she slumbers, yet shall 
 her dust be precious in the eyes of the Lord, 
 and her virtues shall be told for a memorial 
 of her. 
 
150 MEMOIR OF 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 HER CHARACTER. 
 
 Her mental characteristics. — Her attainments 
 in intellectual and moral science. — Changes in 
 
 her affections. Her Christian cona\ict. — 
 
 Conclusion. — The excellencies in her charac- 
 ter a result of missionary labour. — How much 
 can be made of the Indian character. — Grounds 
 of encouragement. — Importance of present ef- 
 forts. — Civilization never precedes Christian- 
 ity. — The life of Catharine an appeal to the 
 community. 
 
 A summary view will now be taken of the 
 character of Catharine Brown, as it is exhibit- 
 ed in the documents, which have been the 
 basis of the preceding memoir. 
 
 I. " Her mental characteristics. 
 
 The mind of Catharine was of a delicate 
 texture, well proportioned, and happily bal- 
 anced. Its perception was clear, its judg- 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 151 
 
 ment correct, and it was well endued with 
 that invaluable quality in the intellectual 
 economy, good sense. In the acquisition of 
 knowledge, it moved easily, and, considering 
 her circumstances and health, wrought with 
 success. In communicating to others what she 
 knew, she had, owing to the clearness of her 
 apprehensions, more than common felicity. 
 
 And who has not remarked her delicate 
 sensibility, her exact views of dignity and 
 propriety, her high principles of action, and 
 her gentleness and sweetness of manner? With 
 her advantages of person, and her excellen- 
 cies of mind, she needed only greater oppor- 
 tunities, to have attained that high degree of 
 refinement and grace, which is so much ad- 
 mired in the more elegant portion of civilized 
 society. 
 
 But, until she came to the age, at which the 
 females of our nation have nearly, or quite, 
 completed their education, she derived no ben- 
 efit whatever from the perusal of books, and 
 enjoyed very little intercourse with civilized 
 people. Her mind, like the wilderness in 
 which she had her home, was uncultivated. 
 But a small degree of intellectual, and scarce- 
 
152 MEMOIR OP 
 
 lyany moral truth, had enlightened it. Bacon, 
 and Newton, and Locke, and St. Paul, and 
 a multitude of others possessing powerful 
 intellects, who had brought the grandest truths 
 in the natural and moral worlds within the 
 comprehension of infantile genius, had, so iar 
 as she was concerned, lived in vain. In short, 
 even at that late period, she had every thing 
 to learn. 
 
 She lived but six years after her admission 
 to the school at Brainerd. A desire for 
 knowledge evidently brought her there; and 
 that same desire, strengthened and sanctified 
 by grace, attended her through life. 
 
 II. Her attainments. 
 
 1. Concerning those attainments, which 
 are not of a moral nature, it will be need- 
 less to enter into a lengthened specification. 
 It may, indeed, be impossible for us, into 
 whose minds knowledge has been industri- 
 ously poured from our earliest years, to form 
 a just conception of her intellectual state, 
 before she had access to the ordinary sources 
 of information, or to ascertain, with preci- 
 sion, what revolutions occurred in her ap- 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 153 
 
 prehensions of things. But there can be no 
 doubt that most, even of the elements of 
 learning, came before her in the garb of 
 novelty, and that the field of her vision ex- 
 panded, till she at length found herself intro- 
 duced into quite a different sphere, from that, 
 which had interested the curiosity of her 
 opening youth. 
 
 It is affecting to think of the great mental 
 changes, which were necessary, even to place 
 her on a level with the ordinary intelligence 
 of civilized life. But it is delightful to con- 
 template these changes as more than accom- 
 plished. To a few of the more important of 
 them the attention of the reader is, for a 
 moment, invited. 
 
 Her acquaintance with the geographical 
 features of the earth, must have been ex- 
 ceedingly vague and limited, hardly extend- 
 ing beyond the wilderness, that embosomed 
 her father's house. After her introduc- 
 tion to the missionaries, that acquaintance 
 was extended to the great natural divisions of 
 the world, its physical aspect, and its civil 
 departments. 
 
 14 
 
154 MEMOIR OF 
 
 Her astronomical views, untutored as she 
 was, may easily be conjectured. But she 
 was instructed to contemplate worlds and 
 suns and systems, in uncounted numbers, 
 wheeling, at the command of their Creator, 
 through immensity. 
 
 Her apprehensions respecting the human 
 race were so imperfect, that she supposed her 
 own people a distinct order of beings. But 
 soon she learns, that God "hath made of one 
 blood all nations of men." 
 
 How exceedingly confined, also, how next 
 to nothing, must have been her knowledge of 
 history. Ages that were past, must have 
 been to her almost as much a blank, as ages 
 that were to come. But soon the Bible, the 
 wisest, most sure, most comprehensive his- 
 tory of man, is placed in her hands; and she 
 has besides, access to a variety of the most 
 useful human compends. Being thus favour- 
 ed, it may well be presumed, that the more 
 interesting events of antiquity rose, in rapid 
 succession, above her mental horizon. 
 
 Such changes as these elevate the mind 
 immeasurably above the standard of the 
 mere child of nature, and, when beheld in 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 155 
 
 any human soul, must be, to a philanthropist, 
 a subject of grateful contemplation. 
 
 2. The greatest and infinitely the most 
 important acquisitions of Catharine, however, 
 had respect to moral subjects, — to God, and a 
 future state, to the character, duty and highest 
 interest of man, and the provisions made for 
 his salvation. On all subjects of this class., 
 her ideas, when she came to Brainerd, were 
 very confused and imperfect; and in regard to 
 some of the most momentous of them, she 
 was in total ignorance. She went there an 
 untutored pagan. Scarcely a ray of moral 
 light had gleamed upon her soul. The visi- 
 ble creation was indeed open and bright be- 
 fore her. But how little of the divine per- 
 fections does fallen man discern there, until 
 they are pointed out by the finger of revela- 
 tion! 
 
 Of the moral perfections of God, such as 
 his holiness, justice, and goodness, she had no 
 conceptions at all, when she entered the 
 mission school. Her knowledge of God, like 
 that of most of her countrymen, was con- 
 fined almost to the narrowest possible limits. 
 Galunlahtiahi, or the Great Being above, was 
 
156 MEMOIR OF 
 
 thought to possess a material form, and his most 
 prominent attribute to be physical strength. 
 The Indian languages are said to have no 
 word that signifies spirit, nor the pagan 
 Indians any idea of a spiritual substance. The 
 spirituality of Jehovah, his holy character, 
 his love of holiness, his hatred of sin, the 
 strictness of his law, his righteous govern- 
 ment over the world, and his illimitable be- 
 nevolence, were things of which Catharine 
 knew little, or nothing. 
 
 But soon we find her mind richly furnished 
 with all these views of God. His moral per- 
 fections arrest her attention, and she sees, in 
 all their exhibitions, a lovely and attractive 
 glory. What new views of the Eternal 
 must they have been, which drew forth such 
 language as this: — u O, he is good, kind, mer- 
 ciful.'" "I feel it is good to be afflicted, 
 knowing that the Lord is good, and will al- 
 ways do what is right." "I thank God, I am 
 entirely in his hands." "The Lord's will be 
 done, and not mine." "O happy day, when 
 God himself shall be my joy!" No heathen 
 ever used such language as this. It springs 
 only from the illuminations of Christianity . 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 157 
 
 Of the Lord Jesus Christ she had no knowl- 
 edge, when introduced to the missionaries; 
 and when told of him, for the first time, she 
 supposed, that what he had done for sinners 
 had no reference to her, or. her people. 
 
 But the united testimony of all is, that, after 
 her conversion, the Saviour was her favour- 
 ite theme of contemplation and discourse. 
 He was her alpha and omega, her all in 
 all. His person, character, and work, ap- 
 peared to her amazingly interesting. How 
 often does she express a desire to know him 
 better, to love him more, to be more grate- 
 ful for what he has done, to do more in re- 
 turn, to be with him, to see him, and to sing 
 his praises. "O," she exclaims, "how de- 
 lightful is the view of my Saviour." "He is 
 precious to me. I often enjoy his presence. 
 I long to be where I can enjoy him without 
 sin." "He has bought me with his blood, and 
 I wish not to have any will of my own. He 
 is good, and can do nothing wrong." 
 
 And what new views did she acquire, with 
 regard to the people of God. At first, she 
 thought them unhappy, and was fearful they 
 *14 
 
15S MEMOIR OF 
 
 would render her unhappy. But soon she 
 thinks them the happiest people in the world, 
 and longs for their society more than for that 
 of any others. With them she wishes to 
 live, with them to die, with them to he for- 
 ever. What amount of earthly good would 
 have induced her to forego their company, 
 for a single year, and cast her lot among the 
 giddy sons and daughters of fashionable pleas- 
 ure? 
 
 "1 cannot," she remarks, "express how 
 much I love the missionaries with whom I 
 live. I feel not my privileges, until I am 
 away from them, and mingle with worldly 
 people. Then I long to get back, and be 
 with Christians.'" "I often think of the glo- 
 rious day, when I shall meet all good mis- 
 sionaries in the kingdom of our Saviour. I 
 shall then be always with those dear friends, 
 who have told me so much about heaven, 
 and taught me to love and serve Christ." 
 "O, happy day, when I shall see all the 
 Christians, who have ever lived." 
 
 We also perceive a great alteration in her 
 views of herself '. She has declared, that when 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 159 
 
 she came to Brainerd, she did not know 
 she was a sinner; and we are informed, that 
 she was vain of her person, vain of her dec- 
 orations, and satisfied with herself. 
 
 Yet what self-abasing views had she, ever 
 after her conversion. u Isee nothing-," she ob- 
 serves, u to trouble me, but my wicked heart. 
 It appears to me, that the more I wish to 
 serve God, the more I sin. I seem never to 
 have done any thing good in the sight of 
 God." 
 
 "Humility," says Mrs. Potter, "was the 
 most conspicuous trait in her character. I 
 never could discover, that her vanity was 
 excited by the numerous attentions, which she 
 received from different parts of our country. 
 She received them as paid her for Christ's 
 sake. When presents came, her language 
 was, 'These do not belong to me. I do not 
 deserve them. Many Christians have heard, 
 that I love the Saviour, and send me pres- 
 ents on this account. But oh, I feel ashamed 
 that 1 live so far from him.' 
 
 "She received many letters, some of which 
 were highly complimentary; but so far from 
 fostering pride, they always seemed to in- 
 
160 MEMOIR OF 
 
 crease her humility. Once, having received 
 a letter full of expressions of the strongest 
 admiration of her character, she was gently 
 cautioned against being lifted up with vanity. 
 The tears started into her eyes, and she re- 
 plied, 4 do not wish to be proud;' and added, 
 'that she believed people had formed too high 
 an opinion of her, and that if they knew her 
 personally, their esteem would be dimin- 
 ished.' 
 
 "She was much distressed, that so many of 
 her letters had been published, and, for a 
 season, it was with difficulty, that we could 
 persuade her to write to her correspond- 
 ents. 'I suppose,' she said, 'the object at 
 first was, to show that an Indian could im- 
 prove. But two or three letters would have 
 answered this purpose, as well as all I have 
 ever written.' "* 
 
 Mr. Leech says, "I have often seen 
 her in company at Huntsville, and although 
 she was very much caressed, and her society 
 
 * Her letters were published, by different friends to whom they 
 were addressed, to gratify the laudible curiosity of the community. 
 It is proper to remark, however, that not more than two or three 
 were ever inserted in the publications of the American Board. 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 161 
 
 sought, by the most respectable people, yet 
 she always appeared humble. There was 
 nothing about her, that was vain, or assuming. 
 This was not the effect of insensibiliiy to 
 those acts of kindness. She would sometimes 
 say to her particular friends. ; I wish I was 
 more worthy of such friendly attentions.' " 
 
 Observe, too, what a revolution was effected 
 in her views of this world. An Indian's heaven, 
 even when most distinctly apprehended, has 
 fewer points of attraction, than the earth. 
 Catharine, on coming to Brainerd, evidently 
 regarded it, when she thought of it at all, 
 as a remote, obscure, undefined something, 
 more to be dreaded, than desired. Hence 
 her imagination had contemplated whatever 
 is lovely and attractive, as shining forth only 
 in this world. If she made any comparisons, 
 they only deepened the conviction, that 
 earthly objects were most desirable. 
 
 But after her conversion, what a change! 
 Her contemplations are elevated to a superior 
 world of realities. She learns of a higher 
 state of existence, designed for the good of 
 the human race; where the inhabitants are 
 
162 memoir or 
 
 all holy, their employments holy, their joys 
 holy; where the disorders and miseries of 
 earth are not known; where "there shall be 
 no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, 
 neither shall there be any more pain;" and 
 where there is "no need of the sun, neither 
 of the moon, to shine in it, for the glory of 
 God doth lighten it, and the Lamb is the light 
 thereof." Now, her views of the world are 
 changed. The contrast of earthly with heav- 
 enly things, and of the creature with God, hath 
 spoiled the glories of the world. 
 
 "How vain," she says, "does this world ap- 
 pear in my eyes. It is nothiog but vanity and 
 sin." "Sweet and reviving is the thought, 
 that I am not to continue long in this world, 
 but hope soon to rest in the city of my God." 
 "When I enjoy the presence of my Saviour, I 
 long to be gone." "How happy shall I feel, 
 when I land on the shores of eternal fe- 
 licity." 
 
 To proceed farther in this analysis, is un- 
 necessary. Enough has been said to illustrate 
 the changes, which occurred in her apprehen- 
 sions on moral subjects. She seems to have 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 163 
 
 possessed much of that kind of understanding, 
 which is denominated, in the word of God, a 
 "spiritual understanding." She appears to 
 have received a spiritual discernment, which 
 enabled her, by the simple reading of the 
 Scriptures, meditation and prayer, to acquire 
 a knowledge of the hidden glories of spiritual 
 things. Hence, the spiritual world, which had 
 been concealed before her conversion, was 
 to her, ever after, a world of beauties, upon 
 which she loved to dwell. 
 
 III. Changes in her affections. 
 
 The objects of all human affections may be 
 divided into two grand classes, which are de- 
 signated, in the divine word, as things earthly, 
 and things heavenly. The earthly things, are 
 the riches, honours, and pleasures of the 
 world. The heavenly things, are whatever 
 bear the marks of a heavenly origin, or of a 
 heavenly destination; such as God, and holy 
 beings, and sacred truth. 
 
 When Catharine first became acquainted 
 with the missionaries, her affections were 
 resting wholly on the former class of objects. 
 
164 MEMOIR OF 
 
 But how much evidence is there, that, before 
 her decease, there was almost an entire trans- 
 fer of her affections; that they rested almost 
 wholly on heavenly things. 
 
 With respect to the general character of 
 her religious affections, it may be remarked, 
 that they were uniformly tender, often lively, 
 hut never enthusiastic. Dr. Campbell ob- 
 serves, "that she never appeared to re- 
 ceive the Christian system of faith otherwise 
 than on the force of evidence, and that evi- 
 dence drawn from the Bible. The extrava- 
 gance of feeling, which is the effect chiefly of 
 animal excitement, she could not comprehend, 
 but felt satisfied with possessing that holiness 
 of heart, which leads to supreme love to 
 God." — "She was never enthusiastic," says 
 Mrs. Potter, "yet had seasons of exalted joy, 
 when, to use her own language, 'she felt as 
 though she was in heaven, and was disap- 
 pointed, when her thoughts returned to earth, 
 and she found herself here!' She had, also, 
 seasons of deep sorrow of heart, when she 
 mourned the hidings of her Saviour's counte- 
 nance, and groaned under the pressure of in- 
 dwelling sin." 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 165 
 
 Catharine possessed nothing- of that stoical 
 insensibility to pleasure, or pain, for which the 
 Indian character has been considered remark- 
 able. There was never any thing in her de- 
 portment like unfeeling hardihood. The very 
 reverse of this was true. She had a heart 
 for friendship, for sympathy, for tender emo- 
 tion. This is apparent in all her writings, 
 and in her whole history; and is amply con- 
 firmed by her intimate friend and companion, 
 Mrs. Potter. She remarks, "Catharine pos- 
 sessed a heart, that could feel for another's 
 wo, and rejoice in another's prosperity." 
 
 To the Saviour her love was uncommonly 
 strong, and continued so, in eyery variety of 
 circumstance. Who has not been impressed 
 with this, while reading her journal, her let- 
 ters, and her recorded sayings, and while 
 contemplating the events of her life? Love to 
 the Saviour, was her ruling principle. She 
 knew his voice. She delighted to sit at his 
 feet. She was overwhelmed with wonder at 
 his condescending goodness. She was enrap- 
 tured at the thought of beholding his face. 
 Hear her own words. U I will go wherever the 
 Saviour calls me." "How good it is to lie 
 15 
 
166 MEMOIR OP 
 
 at the feet of Jesus/' u O how good is he ip 
 permitting me to partake of his grace." 
 "Sweet is the thought of soon beholding the 
 face of the Redeemer." 
 
 Here again Dr. Campbell will be quoted. 
 "The Saviour seemed to be continually the 
 anchor of her hope, the source of her constant 
 and greatest happiness, and the object of her 
 most ardent iove. With her friends, she was 
 at all times communicative and interesting; 
 but when He became the theme of conversa- 
 tion, the faculties of her soul appeared to re- 
 ceive new vigour, and she became doubly in- 
 teresting. Every expression shewed, that 
 she was charmed with the goodness of God, 
 in making such provision for fallen, lost man. 
 Although on other subjects she was not gen- 
 erally very animated, her whole soul seemed 
 to feel the importance of this, which produced 
 an earnestness of expression and manner, that 
 constrained those around her to feel its im- 
 portance too." 
 
 Hence she felt, and uniformly manifested, a 
 deep interest in the cause of Christ. Especially 
 did she long to have her own people savingly 
 acquainted with the Lord Jesus. For this object 
 
CATHARINE BKOWN. 167 
 
 chiefly she wished to live. This made her 
 almost unwilling to die. "My heart bleeds 
 for my poor people," was her language; "I 
 am determined to pray for them, while God 
 lends me breath." 
 
 Her biographer might enlarge, upon her 
 dependence on God, which led her beautifully 
 to say, "I am a child, I can do nothing; but in 
 God will I trust, for I know there is no one 
 else, to whom can I look for help. " He might 
 speak of her tender affection for her friends; 
 of her gratitude for favours shewn her; and 
 of her compassion for the world at large. 
 But enough has been said to shew, that she 
 possessed much, very much of the meek 
 and glowing benevolence of the Gospel. 
 
 "Fair spirit, nurs'd in forest wild, 
 Where caught thy breast those sacred flames?" 
 
 IV. Her christian conduct. 
 
 There is no reason to believe, that any 
 thing in the conduct of Catharine ever ap- 
 proached to what is denominated immoral. 
 And this is very remarkable, considering her 
 early circumstances. Yet, until she came to 
 
165 MEMOIR OF 
 
 Brainerd. she was not religious. She did not 
 lead a life of piety. Till then, the only ten- 
 dency of her mind and heart and conduct, 
 was towards the world. As she neither knew, 
 nor loved ''those things which are above," so 
 neither did she seek them. 
 
 But a change occurred in her objects of 
 pursuit; a revolution took place in the general 
 course and tenor of her life. We find new 
 aims, new plans, new habits of action. "Old 
 things are passed away." 
 
 Her habits of devotion might well render her 
 an example to others. Not only did she de- 
 light to be present in the public assembly, not 
 only did she love to gather little circles of her 
 Cherokee friends for social prayer, but she 
 was constant and earnest in her more private 
 approaches to her God and Saviour. 
 
 Mrs. Potter observes; "The Bible, was 
 her constant companion. The law of God was 
 her delight and meditation all the day. 
 And I think I may safely say, that no morn- 
 ing, or evening passed, during her residence 
 with us, (which was considerably more than 
 a year,) when she did not retire to hold com- 
 munion with her God. At these seasons of 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 169 
 
 devotion, I was not unfrequently permitted to 
 be by her side, and listen to the fervent 
 breathings of her soul. In strains of the 
 deepest humility, she confessed her sins, 
 acknowledged her obligations to her heaven- 
 ly Father, and with great fervency prayed 
 for complete conformity to the divine will. 
 Her dear people were never forgotten, and 
 her petitions were extended from them to 
 all mankind." 
 
 Her zeal was not an irregular, evanescent 
 flame. It was permanent, and always active. 
 How faithful, laborious, and successful she 
 was, with respect to her own family, has been 
 noticed in the preceding memoir. A more 
 kind, attentive, and obliging daughter and sis- 
 ter, than was Catharine Brown, or one more 
 faithfully solicitous for the spiritual good of 
 her relatives, is scarcely to be found, it is be- 
 lieved, in any civilized land. 
 
 Nor was she ever unmindful of the duties she 
 owed her people, and she seems to have close- 
 ly watched for opportunities to do them good. 
 Indeed, their conversion to God was her fa- 
 vourite object, to which she clung, with un- 
 yielding tenacity, through every vicissi- 
 *15 
 
170 MEMOIR OF 
 
 tude of health and circumstance, down to- the 
 hour of her dissolution. 
 
 "Patient she strives. 
 By prayer, and by instruction, to arouse 
 Reflection in the hearts of those she styles 
 Her wretched people. Modest, tender, kind 
 Her words and actions; every vain desire 
 I9 laid obedient at the feet of Christ. 
 And now no more the gaiety she seeks 
 Of proud apparel; ornaments of gold 
 She gladly barters for the plain attire 
 Of meek and lowly spirits."* 
 
 It cannot be forgotten by the reader, how 
 diligently she pursued her studies, both at 
 Brainerd and at Creek-Path, in order that 
 she might be more eminently fitted for use- 
 fulness; nor bow meekly she bore those ac- 
 quisitions, which elevated her above every 
 other female of her trihe. 
 
 That there were defects in her Christian 
 character, must be presumed, in the absence 
 of positive proof, from analog}'. The best 
 Christians have failings. But what were 
 hers ? The materials for this memoir were 
 furnished by a considerable number of per- 
 sons, who knew her well; and, without seem- 
 ing to have been conscious of the omission, 
 not one of them has specified a single fault 
 
 * Traits of the Aborigines of America, pp. 161, 162. 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 171 
 
 in her character, as a Christian. Mrs. P. has 
 simply said, that she was not entirely free 
 from the inadvertences of youth. It would 
 seem, therefore, and there is reason to be- 
 lieve it was the fact, that her failings, 
 whatever they might be, were not such as 
 are apt to make a strong impression on the 
 mind. 
 
 "Through faith in the Lord Jesus," says 
 the first spiritual guide she ever had, the 
 Rev. Mr. Kingsbury, "she was enabled to 
 bring forth the fruits of righteousness, has 
 left a bright example of the power of divine 
 grace over one who was born in the darkness 
 of heathenism, and is now rejoicing with her 
 Saviour." 
 
 CONCLUSION. 
 
 Such was Catharine Brown, the converted 
 Cherokee. Such, too, were the changes 
 wrought in her, through the blessing of Al- 
 mighty God on the labours of Missionaries. 
 They, and only they, as the instruments of 
 divine grace, had the formation of her Chris- 
 tian character; and that character, excellent 
 and lovely as it was, resulted from the nature 
 
172 MEMOIR or 
 
 of their instructions. Her expansion of mind 
 her enlargement of views, her elevated affec- 
 tions, her untiring benevolence, are all to be 
 traced, under God, to her intercourse with 
 them. The glory belongs to God; but the in- 
 strumental agency, the effective labour, the 
 subordinate success, were theirs. 
 
 In her history, we see how much can be 
 made of the Indian character. Catharine was 
 an Indian. She might have said, as her brother 
 did to thousands, while passing through these 
 States, "Aboriginal blood flows through my 
 veins." True, it was not unmixed; but the 
 same may be affirmed of many others of her 
 people. Her parentage, her early cir- 
 cumstances and education, with a few unim- 
 portant exceptions, were like those of the 
 Cherokees generally. She dwelt in the same 
 wilderness, was conversant with the same so- 
 ciety, was actuated by the same fears, and 
 hopes, and expectations, and naturally possess- 
 ed the same traits of character. Yet what did 
 she become! How agreeable as an associate, 
 how affectionate as a friend, how exemplary 
 as a member of the domestic and social circle 
 and of the Christian church, how blameless and 
 lovely in all the walks of life! Her Christian 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 173 
 
 character was esteemed by all who knew her, 
 while she lived, and will bear the strictest 
 scrutiny, now she is dead. To such an excel- 
 lence may the Indian character attain; for, to 
 such an excellence did it actually attain in her. 
 
 And why may it not arrive at the same ex- 
 cellence, in other Indians? Are there no other 
 minds among them as susceptible of discipline 
 and culture? no other spirits, that, in the plas- 
 tic hands of the Divine Agent, can receive as 
 beautiful a conformation ? Are there not dis- 
 positions as gentle, hearts as full of feeling, 
 minds as lively and strong? And cannot such 
 minds be so fashioned and adorned, that heav- 
 enly grace shall beam as charmingly from 
 them, as it did from hers? 
 
 The supposition, that she possessed mental 
 and moral capabilities, which are rare among 
 her people, while it adds nothing to our respect 
 for her, does injustice to her nation. In per- 
 sonal attraction, and in universal propriety of 
 manner, she was, undoubtedly, much distin- 
 guished. But, in amiableness of disposition, in 
 quickness of apprehension, in intellectual vig- 
 our, it is believed there are hundreds of 
 Cherokee youth, who are scarcely less fa- 
 voured. 
 
174 MEMOIR OF 
 
 In confirmation of this, will be given the de- 
 scription of a school, composed entirely of 
 young Cherokees, from the pen of a clergy- 
 man, whose accuracy of judgment, and faithful- 
 ness of description, have never been questioned. 
 
 "It has never been according to our views of propriety and expedi- 
 ency to be lavish in commendations of our schools; lest we should 
 seem to colour high and exaggerate, or to indulge in pride and vain 
 glory. We think, however, (and we would ever think soberly,) that 
 much might be said in favour of the schools at Dwight, without in 
 any measure departing from "words of truth and soberness." I 
 would not draw invidious comparisons, between the schools here and 
 those of other similar institutions. But I would say, that I never saw, 
 at any place, in any country, more interesting groups of children, 
 than those at present under our care: interesting, in almost every 
 point of view, whether we consider them in their relations, their ap- 
 pearance, their behaviour, their progress, or their prospects. 
 
 "Those, who, Avhen revolving in their thoughts the idea of Indians 
 and savages, vainly imagine that nothing can belong to the Aborigines 
 of our country, except what is frightful in appearance , and deeply 
 imbued with cruelty and barbarism, would scarcely believe them- 
 selves to be in an Indian school, when surrounded by the children, 
 which fill our little sylvan seminary. Were they here, they would 
 see nothing of that coa.seness of feature, nor ferocity of look, nothing 
 like that dirty dress, ugly \isage, and repelling countenance, and 
 nothing of that hard, unkind, and cruel disposition, which thty have 
 been wont to associate vith the Indian character. But thry would 
 see a lovely group of children, who, by the regularity of their features, 
 their neat and cleanly dress, their fair complexions, (fair indeed for a 
 sultry clime,) their orderly and becoming behaviour, their intelli- 
 gence and sprightliness, their mildness of disposition, tempered with 
 a manly spirit, and thti>- progress in knowledge, would not suffer by 
 a comparison with most schools in a civilized land, nor disgrace res- 
 pectable parents, by passing as their sons and daughters. 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 175 
 
 •'Such, dear Sir, are our schools at Dwight, our precious children, 
 not long since brought from the shades of the forest. We love them , 
 gnd we can but love them, for they are lovely. They are docile in their 
 dispositions, generally quick in their apprehensions, prompt in their 
 obedience, active and sprightly in their sports, and diligent and am- 
 bitious in their studies. Of the whole number of sixty, who com- 
 pose the school in two departments, there are not more than six who 
 cannot read with ease in the New Testament, and spell almost any 
 words put to them. A considerable number can read with propriety 
 and apparent understanding any book, and write a fair and legible 
 hand. Near one fourth of both departments of the school are pursu- 
 ing the study of geography. Some of the boys have made some 
 progress in grammar and arithmetic, and in some other branches. It 
 may be said with truth, that most, if not all, are as forward, as the 
 children of most district schools in the most favoured part of New 
 England. But what is more interesting to the Christian is their in- 
 telligent reading of the Scriptures, singing with delightful voices the 
 praises of God, and making progress in a knowledge of the Gos- 
 pel."* 
 
 The uniform testimony respecting all the 
 other schools, which have heen established by 
 the American Board, is in accordance with 
 the above. 
 
 Catharine was not the only convert from 
 her peopie. There have been others, both 
 among the old and the young, in whom simi- 
 lar transformations have been wrought. Her 
 brother John was an instance. Her aged and 
 venerable parents, who are much and justly 
 respected by all who know them, are in- 
 stances. Others still might be named, were 
 
 * Missionary Herald, vol. xx, pp. 345, 346. 
 
176 MEMOIR OF 
 
 it no? probable that these pages will fall 
 under their notice. More than fifty Chero- 
 kees were added to the church, the first year 
 after the decease of Catharine, the great pro- 
 portion of whom adorn their profession in a 
 manner resembling what we admire in her. 
 
 It is hardly possible, indeed, that any of 
 these converts should become so well known 
 to our community, as she was. Circumstances 
 have changed. The novelty of Indian mis- 
 sions is gone. The multiplication of converts 
 diminishes our curiosity respecting individuals. 
 But excellence and worth of character, are 
 none the less real for being unnoticed and un- 
 known. 
 
 Here, then, we find encouragement. The 
 success of past efforts has been rich in its na- 
 ture, and animating in its amount; and the 
 same kind of instruments, increased in num- 
 ber, are still employed, and employed, too, 
 upon similar materials. The course of divine 
 grace, moreover, is, in some sense, uniform, 
 like the course of nature; so that what Al- 
 mighty God has done, in past time, is an earn- 
 est and a pledge (circumstances being the 
 same,) of what he will do, in time to come. 
 Upon these accounts, among others, we may 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 177 
 
 cherish raised expectations. Should the en- 
 terprise, which has been commenced so aus- 
 piciously, be prosecuted with prudence, zeal, 
 and in the fear of God, we shall not be extrav- 
 agant if we look for the general prevalence 
 of pure religion among a people, in the midst 
 of whom, at the breaking up of their long 
 night of paganism, this interesting female shone 
 as a morning star. 
 
 The present is emphatically the time for 
 vigorous Christian effort. Probably it is the 
 only time when great success is possible. Va- 
 rious unpropitious causes press heavily upon 
 the poor Indians; and it is believed, that 
 nothing will save them from extinction, as a 
 people, but the general prevalence of true re- 
 ligion. All things else will be vain without this. 
 
 The position, that civilization must precede 
 Christianity, is so unsupported by facts, is so 
 opposed to all experience, that one would 
 think it could hardly be advanced by enlight- 
 ened philosophers, or be received by rational 
 Christians. What is civilization? In Pagan 
 and Mohammedan countries, it is, it ever has 
 been, a state of society, where moral excel- 
 lence is little known, and domestic and social 
 *16 
 
178 MEMOIR OF 
 
 happiness little enjoyed; where man is a 
 lordly tyrant, and woman is a slave. True 
 civilization is found only in Christian coun- 
 tries; and no where, but as the result of 
 Christianity; of Christianity, too, planted, in 
 the first instance, by missionary enterprise. 
 
 Bring this religion to act strongly upon the 
 Indians. Give them the full enjoyment 
 of Christian ordinances. Then their 'winter 
 will be past, the rain will be over and gone.' 
 Agriculture, art, science, legislation, and 
 literature, the germs of which already 
 appear, will grow in rich luxuriance, and the 
 Indian character will be respected by the na- 
 tions of the earth. 
 
 Let the life of Catharine Brown operate as 
 an appeal to the benevolence of the Christian 
 community. Though dead, she speaks: and 
 oh, let her voice fall with persuasive and 
 irresistible eloquence upon every ear. 
 
 Shall her people, of whom, by the purifying 
 and ennobling influences of the Gospel, so 
 much can be made, be abandoned to ignorance 
 and wo? Shall beings, who are capable of 
 knowing God, of understanding the grand 
 economy of his grace, of enjoying the imper- 
 ishable blessings of his salvation, be shut out 
 
CATHARINE BROWN. 179 
 
 eternally from such wisdom, and debarred for- 
 ever from such enjoyment? 
 
 Are they not susceptible of whatever is 
 useful, and beautiful, and even sublime, in 
 character? Can they not appreciate, and will 
 they not use, the means of Christian civiliza- 
 tion, if placed within their reach? 
 
 And may we not expect an abundant re- 
 ward? Nay, have we not already been amply 
 rewarded? To say nothing- of the impulse given 
 to the intellect, the industry, and the enter- 
 prise, of the nation, to which the subject of 
 this memoir belonged; or of their accelerated 
 progress in legislation and government; or 
 of the amelioration in the habits and man- 
 ners of their domestic and social life; or of 
 the rudiments ®f learning imparted to a mul- 
 titude of children and youth; or of the amount 
 of sacred truth, the only means of conversion 
 and sanctification, instilled into their minds; 
 or of an inheritance in the heavens secured to 
 many souls: — to say nothing of all this, 
 Were not the holy life and triumphant death 
 of Catharine Brown, an ample remuneration 
 for all the labours and expenditures of the 
 mission to her tribe? 
 
180 MEMOIR OF 
 
 Say, ye missionariesof the cross, should ye 
 repent of your self-denying toils, if this had 
 proved your only reward? Say, ye churches 
 of the Redeemer, would ye re'cal her sainted 
 spirit from the skies, if what ye have expend- 
 ed for her nation could be refunded? A thous- 
 and worlds would not be worth what you 
 have, through the grace of God, secured to 
 her, as is humbly believed, in the regions of 
 the blessed. And when ye, also, stand on the 
 heights of the Zion above, and behold her 
 ransomed spirit "filled with all the fulness of 
 God," and exulting amid the hosts of heaven, 
 will ye have any regrets for the sacrifices it 
 cost you to send the Gospel to her people? 
 
 O let sloth be driven away; let the grasp of 
 avarice be loosened; let benevolence assume 
 the dominion; let a spirit of enterprise be kind- 
 led; let the messengers of salvation be quickly 
 sent to every tribe that roams the western 
 wilds. 
 
 Then "the wilderness and the solitary place 
 shall be glad for them, and the desert shall 
 rejoice and blossom as the rose." 
 
 FINIS.