Jane. If you have taught me falsely, I was not to blame; the peril be on your own soul. My mind was a blank, and you put your own impressions on it; God (if there be a God) reward you according to your deeds!'"-p. 265.

With one more quotation we close. It is some observations on Mrs. Wilson's character immediately after her death.

"Ought we to wonder that she effected that imposition on herself, by the aid of self-love, (of all love the most blinding,) since we have heard, in her funeral sermon, her religious experiences detailed as the triumphs of a saint; her strict attention on religious ordinances commended, as if they were the end and not the means of a religious life; since we (who cannot remember a single gracious act of humility in her whole life) have been told, as a proof of her gracious state, that the last rational words she pronounced were, that she "was of sinners the chief?" There seems to be a curious spiritual alchymy in the utterance of these words; for we cannot say, that those who use them mean to "palter in a double sense," but they are too often spoken and received as the evidence of a hopeful state. Professions and declarations have crept in among the protestants, to take the place of the mortifications and penances of the ancient church; so prone are men to find some easier way to heaven than the toilsome path of obedience.'" -pp. 267, 268.

We profess not to be insensible to the beauties of the work before us. In most instances the language is elevated and chaste-the descriptions often natural and glowing. To render what we have written intelligible to our readers, we must inform them, that our little heroine, Jane, lived several years in the family of her aunt, met with some romantic adventures, and finally married a Quaker, who had been her patron and friend during all her troubles. Though Monsieur "Lavoisier" takes French leave, with Elvira, and we hear no more about them after his wonderful escape from the "tar and feathers," we have no fault, on the whole, to find with the ending of the story, as it was perfectly proper to marry Jane to an old widower, or any other person. But we cannot but mention what we esteem unpardonable blemishes. There are not a few expressions that border on profaneness, which would by no means become a lady's lips, however they appear from her pen. Jane Elton is a perfect character, as religious and as pure as an angel; and that too from her infancy-for we read of no time when she was otherwise. The quakers are represented as almost perfect beings-the clergy are ridiculed-deacons are sneered atconferences are derided-missions and missionaries are pointed at every thing that distinguishes evangelical religion is misrepresented and stigmatized. If our author considers herself as an accountable being, we wonder by what law of mercy she expects to be judged, when she is so severe upon that obnoxious part of Christians, Calvinists. And is this the book that is to be vended and spread over our land, and put into the hands of our youth? Is this the manner in which an accountable being, of no ordinary talents, is to exert her influence? A sorry item indeed, we believe, this little work will make when her every action is impartially judged. She informs us that she wrote for the purpose of adding" something to the scanty stock of native American literature." Were this the design, it is certainly to be commended; though we think the addition our literature gains by it, will be but a " scanty" morsel. We must now take leave of our author with the hope, that should she again appear before the public, she will have more of the modesty which so much becomes a lady, if indeed she is wholly free from the humility and candour of a Christian.

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Entelligence.

POLYNESIA.-SOUTH SEA ISLANDS.

Most interesting intelligence from the mission established in these islands, by the London Missionary Society, is furnished in the Missionary Chronicle for September. The deputation, consisting of the Rev. D. Tyerman and George Bennet, Esq. was sent out, more than a year ago, to visit these stations, and several letters have been received from them, by the Directors, which we shall now proceed to notice. The first letter is dated "on board the Tuscan, Aug. 22, 1821. Pacific Ocean, lat. 29, 12. S. long. 85, 0. W. ;" and states that with little variation, the voyage thus far had been pleasant and prosperous. The second letter is dated" Eimeo, Dec. 3, 1821;" and states that they arrived at Matavai, (in Taheite,) on the 21st of September, without any calamity befalling them on their way. They express themselves as having been greatly delighted with the beauty of the islands, but most of all, "with the victories and blessed results of preaching and living the Gospel of Christ," at every station where they had been, viz.

At Matavai, at Papieta, at Buaanania in Taheite; and at Papetoai in this island. TRULY, "THE HALF WAS NOT TOLD US!" God has indeed done great things here, in a civil, moral, and religious view. The people here exhibit as literal and pleasing a proof being "turned from darkness unto light, and from the power of Satan unto God," as can be conceived.

A nation of pilferers have become eminently trust-worthy. A people formerly universally addicted to lasciviousness in all its forms, have become modest and virtuous in the highest degree-those who, a few years ago, despised all forms of religion except their own horrid and cruel superstitions, have universally declared their approbation of Christianity; study diligently those parts of the Christian Scriptures which have been translated for them-ask earnestly for more, and appear conscientiously to regulate themselves by those sacred oracles, under the direction of their kind teachers, whose self-denying zeal and perseverance have been almost as remarkable as the success with which God has been pleased to honour them.

This is the victory that overcometh the world. Here is an answer to infidelity that is calculated to stagger its disbelief in the mighty power of "PREACHING and LIVING the Gospel." It is true there are not many in our land who boldly and openly profess to disbelieve the Bible, but there are many who deny that the Gospel has any power to improve the condition of the heathen, who deny that it is the power of God unto salvation to them that believe. This species of infidelity assumes a thousand shapes, in order to deride the missionary cause; in order to excuse its want of Christian charity; and, in order to gratify its selfish desires. Should this article meet the eye of any one who has heretofore held this subject so cheap as to brand it with error and delusion, we pray he will study the bistory of this mission, with much care and attention, and see if that scripture be not fulfilled, which says, "In that day a man shall cast his idols to the moles and to the bats."

The deputation found the missionaries, generally, in good health. Two of the late missionaries, Messrs. Bicknell and Tessier,

Have departed to their heavenly rest and gracious reward, leaving behind them very satisfactory evidence that "the good hope through grace" which had supported them through life, could support them also in the hour of death.

The king was unwell, and was at this island when we arrived in Taheite. He soon made two obliging communications to us, through our excellent friend Mr. Nott, in which he expressed his hope of soon being over at Matavai to receive us. On finding, however, that Pomare rather grew worse than better, we came over to Eimeo, and were received by him with the utmost demonstrations of kindness, and with marked tokens of respect; Messrs. Nott and Henry accompanying us, and interpreting for us. His information, for a person who has read only the Taheitan language, appeared to us considerable, from the questions he asked respecting our Society's labours, their success, and their intended fields of labour; also his inquiries respecting the civil affairs of England and of Europe.

Pomare died on the 6th of December, and left directions that his infant son should be acknowledged as sovereign; that the queen and her sister should remain at Taheite, having the care of the son and daughter, and govern the kingdom with the advice of the principal chiefs. This arrangement gave general satisfaction, and encouraged the hope that all things would go on well. The King had been a steady friend to the missionaries.

The translations and printing are going on well. Matthew and John are printed in the Taheitan language, and are in innumerable hands. The books of Genesis, Joshua, the Psalms, Isaiah, the Acts, the Epistle to the Romans, and the other Epistles are in course of translation, and are waiting the mutual corrections of the brethren. The grammar and dictionary are not in so forward a state; but both these are so important, that we hope to make a more encouraging report of their progress at no distant period.

Our hearts have been rejoiced to find that those labourers in the Lord's vineyard here, with whom we have had intercourse, appear to be, generally speaking, of the right stamp, holding forth the truth in their public and private teaching, and exemplifying the holy Gospel in their life and conversation. We must also add, that the general intelligence and good sense which we find among them is highly gratifying to us.

With the various appearances and productions of these delightful islands, which the Lord hath blest, we cannot now entertain you by any descriptions; indeed they are, in many respects, so entirely sui generis, that vision only can convey an adequate idea of their fertility, beauty, and sublimity.

It is found unadvisable, and in part, impracticable, to attempt at present any manufactory on a large scale; but the king and chiefs have approved of setting up the little cotton work, and Messrs. Blossom and Armitage are just now getting into their houses, which the chiefs have provided for them, close to the stream in Taheite, where the mill is immediately to be erected.

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The progress made by the natives in the arts of civilized life are quite encouraging. The females manufacture bonnets in the English form, and many of the men are also partly clothed in the English dress. Commercial attempts had been made by the king and chiefs, but not with much success. Of the marks of general improvement it is said:

Better houses and chapels having been built, or in preparation for being built at nearly every station-rapid improvement in reading and writing. European dresses partially superseding the Taheitan-the chiefs ingeniously and diligently building their own boats in the European form, with European tools. Many cultivating tobacco and sugar, and nearly all manufacturing cocoa-nut oil.

Among other marks of improvement, we must mention a road, which is already made to a considerable extent, and which is intended to go round the whole island. This is of very great and obvious importance. It has been formed by persons who were punished, according to the new laws, for evil doing; and the intention is, that it shall be completed by persons of that description. It is remarkable that these persons have no need to be superintended in their labour, but they uniformly perform the portion of work allotted to them. Before this, there was no road in any part of the island, except the narrow winding tracks by which the natives found their way from one place to another.

Mr. Armitage, a cotton manufacturer, who went out with the deputation, states that the "people assemble every morning at sunrise, for singing and prayer, and reading those parts of the Scriptures which have been translated. And, except Saturday evening, which is occupied in providing for the Sabbath, there is scarcely a person seen without the Hymn Book and Testament, both morning and evening. The Sabbath is almost entirely spent in the school or public worship;" and it is said that in the outward observance of the Sabbath, the king set them a most excellent example. In their third letter Messrs. Bennet and Tyer

man say:

Every thing around bears the marks of great improvement among the natives, their enclosures, their plastered houses, their manners, and especially their dress, which is as much European as they can obtain, by purchase, the means of making it. Indeed on Sabbath day, in the noble place of worship, (which is well built and plastered, well floored with timber, and of which considerable part is neatly pewed) the chiefs, and great numbers of the principal people, were dressed quite in the English manner from head to foot. We spent a delightful Sabbath here ;-there were not fewer than 1200 persons present at each of the services, conducted after the English mode, but of course in the Taheitan language. At noon, we had the pleasure to meet 7 or 800 persons in one of the school-rooms; 400 of these were children of the most interesting appearance, of from 6 years old to 15 or 16; the others consisted of adults, who attend, it seems, with remarkable diligence on the Sabbath day for religious instruction, and every other day of the week, except Saturday, for instruction in reading and writing, and for instruction also in religion. On Monday, we were invited to meet the king and queen--the chiefs

the communicants--the baptized-and others in the chapel. At this meeting our hearts were almost overwhelmed with pleasure of the highest order. There were about 1000 persons present; and when each of us had spoken to them, and our kind friends had interpreted our speeches, we were addressed by four of their orators; one of these was the king, (Mahine) two other chiefs, and the fourth was a deacon of the Church, and a teacher in the schools,-a man of exemplary piety and amiable deportment. Indeed we cannot conceive of countenances expressive of more benevolence, even in our own favoured country, than those of two of these speakers; and they all spoke so evidently from the heart, that we felt moved by their speeches even before they were interpreted to us; and when they were explained, we found they were highly creditable both to their heads and hearts.

Our greatest delight is, after that arising from the apparent piety of many of the natives, to behold such respect and attachment manifested to the missionaries here, and the desire expressed in other places to obtain missionaries. We think this is a pleasing indication of the Divine favour toward the good cause, in which you and the Society have the happiness to be engaged.

At page 272 of this volume, we gave a full account of the renunciation of idolatry in the island of Rurutu. When the boats returned to Raiatea with the idols, a general desire prevailed to see these trophies of victory—these objects of adoration. To gratify all, and fan the missionary flame, the large place of worship was lighted up with wooden chandeliers, and cocoa-nut shells for lamps, and after an appropriate religious service by the missionaries,

The several idols were exposed to view by three of the deacons. The first was the great national god TAAROA, which was exhibited by Paumoana. This idol is a rude figure, made of plaited sinnett, in the shape of a man, with an opening down the front, through which it was filled with little gods, or the family gods of the old chiefs, the points of spears, old slings, &c. of ancient warriors. It was really laughable to see him take little gods by the dozen out of the great god, and hold them up to public view. He made some appropriate remarks on the great power of Jehovah in turning that people from dumb idols, saying that it was not by human strength. Formerly, he observed, war must have ensued, and blood must have been shed before the evil spirits would have been given up; but these had been obtained without either, by the power of God alone.

Temauri then arose and exhibited ROOTEABU, an idol inferior to the former, and made some suitable remarks.

Uacva next exhibited all the family gods, turning them first to one side and then to the other, inviting every eye to behold them; and remarked on the superiority of this war to all the wars in which they had ever been engaged, ascribing the victory to Jesus, the great

conqueror.

Of Rimatura, another is land, about 40 miles from Rurutu, it is reported that numbers have renounced idolatry, and "received books, and said they would go to their chief, and persuade him also to receive and learn the word of God. Auura