thod of writing their own language. They began to talk
much of printing in the new and famous characters; appropriated money
to procure a press and types, and anticipated with joy the printing of
the Scriptures in a language they could read and understand.

At the same time the missionaries to the Choctaws were reducing their
language to a system. One of them collected more than 3000 words,
arranged according to the subjects to which they refer, which he
translated into English. Ten hymns were also translated into Choctaw,
and a spelling-book prepared in the same language.

_Austin._ But let us hear what became of the Guyst's Cherokee
alphabet. As that was an invention of his own, it seems very
wonderful.

_Hunter._ I will tell you. In the summer or fall of 1827, there was an
examination of one of the Cherokee mission schools, on which occasion
one of the chiefs made an address in the Cherokee language, of which
the following is a translation.

"Dear children:--I often speak to you, and encourage you to continue
in the pursuit of useful knowledge; such knowledge as will be for your
own good, and that of your own country. You are engaged in a good
thing. I am always pleased to see the progress you are making in
learning. I feel that much depends on you. On you depends the future
welfare of your country.

"When I was young there were no schools among us. No one to teach us
such learning as you are now obtaining. My lot was quite different
from yours. You have here many advantages. Improve them. Pursue the
paths of virtue and knowledge. Some of your fathers, who first agreed
for the teachers to come among us, are now no more. They are gone.

"It is now some years since a school was established in Creekpath,
your native place. I myself aided to build the first school-house. At
first the children did not learn very fast. But now, since the
establishment of a school at this place, they are doing much better. I
have reason to believe you are learning as fast as might be expected.
Some of you have been in school five years, and some not so long. You
have now acquired considerable knowledge. By-and-by you will have
more. This gives me great satisfaction. Remember that the whites are
near us. With them we have constant intercourse; and you must be
sensible that, unless you can speak their language, read and write as
they do, they will be able to cheat you and trample upon your rights.
Be diligent, therefore, in your studie