"He

the Chief of Rurutu, is very diligent in teaching his countrymen to read. goes from house to house every night and morning, performing family prayer for them!"

“That which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider." "Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away."

SANDWICH ISLANDS.

THE missions under the patronage of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, are daily increasing in interest, and are daily making the most encouraging progress. This remark, we are happy to say, applies to the missions established for the Indians of the east, the Indians of the west, the inhabitants of Asia, and, especially, the natives of the Sandwich Islands. While years of arduous labour, and unceasing perseverance, were required of the London Society, and their missionaries, before the light of the Gospel dispelled the thick cloud which covered the people of the Society Islands, the labourers in the Sandwich Islands met the dawn of the same glorious light at their very landing. They and their patrons can say of a truth, before we called, the Lord did answer; and while we were yet speaking, the Lord did hear. The life of the faithful missionary, however, is not in any case without its trials and its difficulties: they must go forth weeping, bearing precious seed, if they would come again with rejoicing, bringing their sheaves with them."

But here we regret to say opposition comes from those who have had the privilege of living in Christian countries, as well as from the natives. This subject is thus noticed by the Editor of the Missionary Herald:

Though the missionaries had experienced many acts of kindness from various classes of persons at the islands, yet there had been instances of opposition to the progress of divine truth. It is well known to all those who are acquainted with the islands of the Pacific, that in most of them are to be found unhappy men, who have run away from the restraints of civilized society, and wish to practise wickedness without reproof and without shame. Among the multitude of occasional visiters, it is to be expected that there should be some of a similar character. But the very existence of a virtuous little community before their eyes, is in itself a keen reproof.

We are not to wonder, therefore, that attempts should he made, by a part of the foreigners resident at the Sandwich Islands, to embarrass the operations of the missionaries, by exciting distrust in the minds of the chiefs and the people. Trials of this kind are to be endured almost as a matter of course. It is to be observed, however, that bad men are not apt to acquire and retain influence, even among the most untutored people; and that the Lord of missions is able to defeat, in a thousand ways, the machinations of his enemies.

The journal of the missionaries kept at Woahoo, published in the Missionary Herald, furnishes many interesting particulars which we shall proceed to notice. VOL. IX.

47

Halo, a chief who had been sick several months, was visited almost daily by Thomas Hopoo, who laboured to impress him with divine truth, with encouraging success. He gave some evidence of piety.

In conversation with brother Loomis, he said he was vile,-that there was nothing good in him; but he desired Jehovah to take possession of his heart; that he was willing to commit his all to him. He seems to have a great reverence for the Bible. One day, Hopoo found him asleep, with the Bible pressed to his bosom. Being afterwards asked, why he did so, he replied, that " he loved Jehovah, and wished to be with him." When he eats and drinks, he uniformly gives thanks to Jehovah. How does the conduct of this chief condemn thousands, who have the Bible, and are able to read it.

Something of the barbarity of these people may be learned from the following incident, related by Mr. Young:

A man and wife having determined to separate, each insisted on having a child, which had been born to them. The father kept it for awhile, then the mother got possession of it; the father took it away again; and so things went on, till the father, to end the dispute, knocked the child on the head, and thus put an immediate end to its life.

A house of worship, 54 feet by 22, was dedicated to the service of Almighty God, on the 15th of September, 1821-the first which has been consecrated to this holy use in the Sandwich Islands. The next day, meeting was held in the church, and a son of Mr. Chamberlain received the ordinance of baptism. We observe with pleasure, that the Lord has raised up many friends to the missionaries among the officers of the numerous whale ships that visit these islands. A very friendly intercourse subsists between them, and a number of them have made liberal donations for building the church, supporting the schools, and adding to the comforts of the missionaries. The proposed visit to the Society Islands, mentioned in a former number, has been relinquished.

Brother and sister Bingham returned from Atooi in Tamoree's brig, after an absence of four months. They have done much good there, in strengthening and encouraging the brethren; though, by reason of foreign influence, they have not accomplished their intended voyage to the Society Isles. But it is all for the best. The purposes of heaven are accomplished by the delay. We are not without hopes that we shall be permitted to visit those now favoured isles, at some future period. It still appears to us highly desirable; and all the objections which have been made against it, have not, in the least, altered our opinion on the subject. It would be of very great service to us, if we could now be put in possession of the elementary books and translations of the missionaries there. But we must wait with patience; and if it is best that we should receive such helps, the way will be opened, and the means for obtaining them will be put into our hands.

The missionaries received intelligence of the lamented death of Dr. Worcester, with feelings that indicated the warmest personal attachment, and a high estimation of his many excellencies and great worth in the missionary cause.

While the ladies were preparing a letter, and a small list of articles needed for the mission, to send to Mrs. Arthur, and other ladies of Nantucket, which, being done at the instance of Captains Arthur and Allen, they regard as the commencement of an interesting correspondence with the inhabitants of that place, an acceptable present, valued at $25, was received, with the following note:

"Hannah Holmes's respectful compliments to the ladies of the mission family,-asks their acceptance of one piece of seersucker, and requests her kind and affectionate instructer, Mrs. Bingham, to accept one small chest of pearl, gunpowder tea. She would also add, she can never forget the kind exertions that have been made by you all, for her improvement." The sentiments of this note, we regard, rather as a pleasant index to the feelings, than as a fair specimen of the attainments of one of our pupils.*

Nov. 22, 1821. Tapoole, the ex-queen of Atooi, with her paramour Kaere-ohoo-nooe, and Telalah, another rejected wife of Tamoree, with a few attendants, visited the family. They have ever manifested a disposition favourable to the mission, and it seems not to be altered by any late events. Kaere-ohoo-nooe was attracted by the terrestrial globe, and examined it with attention. As brother B. was attempting to explain the figure and motion of the earth, one of the attendants, a native, called Winship, said: "If the earth rolled round we should all be dizzy headed."

Dec. 3. The Superb, a schooner lately built at Atooi, arrived with letters from the brethren there. Mr. Whitney writes to Mr. Thurston as follows: "Since brother Bingham left us, there has been no material change in our affairs. We can still speak of nothing but mercies. We are treated with much respect and kindness by governor Cox. Scarcely a day passes but he sends us some token of his friendship. He has not the influence, however, over the natives which Tamoree had, but is gaining popularity. Tamoree is much wanted."

"A few days since, Tupea, one of the principal chiefs, murdered his wife. He was intoxicated at the time. This dreadful evil of intemperance, is quite fashionable here. We fear the consequences. Still, this place is probably a kind of paradise, compared with Hana

roorrah."

"As it regards the prosperity of this station, one thing, a sine qua non, is wanting; viz. a minister of the Gospel. Our eyes are all fixed upon you, and we should hail your arrival with the most heartfelt gratitude. Should it not meet your views, however, and the approbation of the brethren, we must submit to your better judgment." 6. Favoured with a polite call of capt. Seischmareff and three of his officers, who arrived in port yesterday, from the north, in one of the Russian ships of discovery. They have all been favoured with health and prosperity, and still exhibit a very pleasing and cheerful aspect.

9. Sabbath. At the close of the service, brother Bingham administered the ordinance of baptism, and the infant daughter of bro*The note was probably dictated, if not written, by some American. Ed. M. H

ther and sister Thurston, named Persis Goodell, was solemnly dedicated to Christ.

12. The brig Owhyhee, capt. Henry, from Boston, arrived with letters, newspapers, and pamphlets for us, announcing the arrival and gladsome reception, at Boston, of our communications by the Levant, the Clarion, the Ann, and the Volunteer, refreshing us with intelligence of signal mercies bestowed on the churches of our land, on the several missions under the direction of the Board, and the various other laudable enterprises in the promotion of human happiness; warming our hearts by kind expressions of the liveliest interest, joy and hope, with respect to the arrival, establishment, and prospects of this mission. We would unite with our friends, in devout thanksgiving to the great Head of the church, and unceasingly ascribe to him all the glory. Let us be humble, and watch unto prayer, remembering the days of adversity; they too may be many.

14. Second quarterly examination for the second year. Present --Lieutenant Boyle, two physicians, and a midshipman, of the Russian ships of discovery, Messrs. Davis, Hunnewell, Conant, Dana, and Harwood. Several of these gentlemen expressed their satisfaction in seeing the specimens of improvement exhibited in spelling, reading the Scriptures, writing. &c. Isaac, a native of the N. W. coast, of a tribe not far from Nootka Sound, exhibited a drawing of our little establishment, and several flowers prettily painted, bearing marks of original genius. Samoa, a native of Otaheite, who is attached to the family by the express direction of Governor Cox and Kaahoomanoo, beside spelling a lesson in English, read with facility a page or two from an Otaheitan Catechism. William Beals, was examined in spelling and reading, in the vernacular tongue; Nathaniel Chamberlain, in geography and penmanship; James Kahoohoo, the king's young friend, read, with tolerable facility, a paragraph of Scripture, and exhibited a copy book which does credit to his genius and industry. The pupils answered a number of questions in Scripture history, and in Watts's Catechism. At the close of the pleasant interview, the school, and its patrons, and the nation, were commended to God in prayer.

While the brethren were present, a youth sat down in the door completely in the native habit, but seemed to take no notice of them, and it was with difficulty that they, at last, were able to recognize him to be William Tennoe, the subject of so many prayers, favours, instructions, and distinguished privileges. He has, for a considerable time, lived at Wiani. He shuns our society, and we are pained to say, gives no evidence of a disposition to return to give glory to God, and to pay to the Lord his vows. Several letters from American friends to William, have been carried him by Hopoo and Honooree, who seem deeply to lament his fall.

As the brethren met with commodore Vassicleff this morning, he remarked, with reference to the late numbers of the Missionary Herald, and Boston Recorder, which he had received from them, that he found little but accounts of Missionary and Bible Societies--nothing of wars and battles in Europe. Happy indeed, if this might be

United States.-Union Mission.

373

the grand characteristic of newspapers henceforth, till all nations should rejoice together in the permanent and universal peace of Christ's kingdom.

UNITED STATES.-UNION MISSION.

THE friends of the Osage and Cherokee missions will be gratified to learn that hostilities between these tribes of Indians have been suspended; and that through the agency of Governor Miller, and the government agent, Mr. Philbrook, there is a well grounded hope that permanent peace, which the Osages so much desire, will be soon established among them.* The American Missionary Register for September and October, contains the journal of this mission for the months of March, April, and May, 1822-from which we have drawn a summary of the most important events during that period.

Early in April, the Osages sent "a talk" to the governor, in which " they express their loyalty to the government of the United States They say, Whom shall we hold by the hand, if not our great Father, the President?' Their talk breathes the spirit of peace." They are not so well prepared for war as the Cherokees: although more numerous, they have not the same means for purchasing powder.

The latest intelligence (June 26th) represents the mission family as enjoying general health, and their success as promising as might reasonably be expected, considering the prejudices of the natives, and other difficulties which they have to encounter. Finding it necessary to procure funds to the amount of three thousand dollars, to discharge some debts, and carry on the business of the mission, Mr. Chapman left the station on the 6th of March, and travelling as far as New-Orleans, succeeded in obtaining money (amount not mentioned) for the mission, and arrived safely at his home on the 28th of May. The supplies from New-York and New-Orleans had reached the Post of Arkansaw, except a case of hardware, which was lost in the Mississippi Mr. Chapman received many marks of friendship from the officers of the garrison, which consists of 250 soldiers, under Colonel Arbuckle, and their offer to forward letters, &c., to the mission. As an instance of the extreme ignorance and superstition of the natives, we quote the following from the April journal.

April 18. An Osage and his wife came in this evening, on their way to the trading house, with a few skins, to purchase a blanket. This man is a Wok-kun-duk-ka, or conjurer, or, as the interpreter calls him, a medicine man, one who deals in strange arts.

19. This evening put a number of questions to this Osage, to find out his views about religion. In answer to the question, "Who made the world?" he said, "he did not know!" We find the Osages place great stress on dreams. These they look upon as a kind of revelation. They are much influenced by a dream, in their most important measures. The Indian told some strange stories, and offered to play some tricks.

Since writing the above, we understand that letters have been received, stating that a treaty of peace, of which the government of the United States is the guardian, has been concluded between these nations.